Protests held across country demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s ouster, hundreds detained

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Opposition parties, civil society activists, youth and student organisations held protests across the country on Thursday (October 2, 2026) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

In Mumbai, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protests at Shivaji Park received support from actors and artists. In Delhi, over 500 people, including former Chief Minister Atisihi, were detained by the Delhi Police.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, condemned the police action against the protesters and said hundreds are in custody. “Their only crime is that they dared to question vote theft,” he said.

Thousands joined the peaceful protests on Gandhi Jayanti, demanding Mr. Kumar’s resignation. “Bapu taught us exactly this – speak the truth, fight peacefully. And that’s what scares this government the most. A lathi can stop a crowd, but not a question. Gyanesh Kumar will go. And the system that put him there will go too,” Mr. Gandhi said.

Congress general secretary, organisation, K.C. Venugopal said the members of the Opposition parties are ready to go to jail to save democracy.

Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) national president and CPI(M) MP A. A. Rahim, who was detained at Jantar Mantar, said the authorities denied permission for peaceful protests even at the designated protest site. “They have blocked Jantar Mantar, closed down the metro stations and shut down the internet. Brutal force was used on protesting youth and students. Senior leaders like Brinda Karat and M.A. Baby were detained. But they cannot stop our protests using force. We will continue our resistance till Mr. Kumar tenders his resignation,” Mr. Rahim said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the crackdown has raised a fundamental question about the right of citizens to protest peacefully over concerns about their votes and the electoral process. Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said in a post on X, “The protest is against Gyanesh Kumar, and Amit Shah is engaged in crushing this protest. Today, the Delhi Police is determined to suppress every voice demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.”

New Delhi turned into a fortress owing to heavy police deployment and barricading at Jantar Mantar, restricting the entry of people trying to protest. Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and DYFI had issued a call for the protest to begin from Mandi House.

National Students’ Union of India began its march from Raisina Road and members of the Indian Youth Congress joined the march. Prohibitory orders were enforced under Section 163 BNSS in Parliament Street sub-division where the protest site is located, restricting any public meeting. Hundreds of Delhi Police, CAPF and RAF personnel blocked the two entry points of the Jantar Mantar protest site: one from Sansad Marg and the other from Kerala House side. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that entry and exit were closed at 12 stations, including those in the immediate vicinity of the protest site. Internet services were shut down at the protest site, with shopkeepers and gig workers nearby facing difficulties in taking UPI payments from customers. Services were resumed later in the evening.

In Mumbai, thousands of protesters gathered at Shivaji Park in Dadar to seek electoral reforms. Several students’ organisations responded to CJP’s call and joined the protest. Patriotic songs were sung, slogans were chanted, street performances were given. Celebrities such as actor Shabana Azmi and singer Vishal Dadlani joined Abhijeet Dipke on stage. Ms. Azmi said that the right to vote was given by the Constitution and people will protest if it is taken away. Mr. Dipke and the leaders of CJP called for Mr. Kumar’s resignation.

In Keralam, district units of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) organised rallies demanding the resignation of Mr. Kumar and protesting the arrests of CPI(M) leaders Mr. Baby and Ms. Karat in New Delhi. Protest marches were organised across the State, including in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. Senior CPI(M) Leader and Keralam’s Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan said the arrest of Mr. Baby, Ms. Karat and student-youth activists while they were peacefully protesting is an assault on democratic rights.

As part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance bloc‘s joint protest plans, the State units of the Congress took out “Save Democracy” marches at the district level. In Srinagar, scores of Congress leaders and workers assembled at the party headquarters on M. A. Road. They tried to march towards the main road, but were stopped by police, who did not allow them to step outside the party office complex. Congress party’s Srinagar district president Adil Farooq said every sector in the country has come under attack and is being destroyed.

In Jaipur, the AAP held a protest at Shaheed Smarak demanding Mr. Kumar’s resignation. They raised questions over the Special Intensive Revision and demanded an independent and transparent examination of electoral rolls.

In Vijayawada, Opposition parties, Left parties and civil society groups organised a massive rally and public meeting demanding the removal of Mr. Kumar, suspension of the SIR and restructuring of the Election Commission. The protesters alleged that more than 13 crore names had been excluded from draft electoral rolls during the SIR and demanded that eligible voters be restored. The rally, organised as part of nationwide protests, began at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram and proceeded through the Old Bus Stand and Eluru Road to Lenin Centre, with protesters carrying placards and raising slogans.

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