Over 150 Protesters Detained in March Against Chief Election Commissioner at Jantar Mantar

Delhi Police detained around 150 protesters on Saturday after student leaders, civil society activists, and senior advocates marched from Patel Chowk towards Jantar Mantar, demanding the immediate resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities.

Police barricaded major access routes leading to Jantar Mantar and intercepted the marchers as they gathered near the site. The action triggered widespread pushback from opposition figures and student organisations, who accused authorities of using force to smother democratic dissent.

High-Profile Activists and Lawyers Intercepted Near Jantar Mantar

The protest march saw participation from prominent legal and political figures, including senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Prashant Bhushan, Nitya Ramakrishnan, and Pallav Sisodia, along with activist Yogendra Yadav. All-India Students' Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora was detained for the second consecutive day after facing similar police action during demonstrations on Friday.

Tensions flared near the barricades as AISA members alleged physical misconduct by police personnel. Ms Bora claimed a male officer manhandled her, while another officer directed verbal abuse during her removal from the venue. Simultaneously, members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) staged a parallel demonstration at India Gate, shouting slogans demanding transparency from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and an impartial investigation into the poll body’s functioning.

Opposition Intensifies Pressure Over Electoral Roll Revision

The street demonstrations follow growing political confrontation surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram urged Gyanesh Kumar to step down, stating that his departure was inevitable as pressure mounted from the INDIA bloc and civil society groups over internal objections regarding the revision process.

In a sharper attack, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for dissolving the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, alleging that the ongoing SIR exercise compromised the electoral system and claiming that future polls should be conducted using ballot papers.

Protests against the election chief also spread beyond the national capital on Saturday:

• Nagaland Demonstration: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) marched in Dimapur and burnt an effigy of the CEC, claiming the SIR exercise wrongfully removed voters from the rolls.
• Maharashtra Unrest: State Congress leaders highlighted growing youth discontent, referencing protests held in Mumbai and Pune over electoral concerns and administrative recruitment issues.

Security Tightened Across Central Delhi

Following the detaining of key leaders, security arrangements around central Delhi remain tight, with personnel stationed at major intersections surrounding Jantar Mantar and Patel Chowk.

Student bodies and civil society groups have vowed to continue their agitation, maintaining that protests will persist until the Election Commission provides clear answers regarding the integrity of the voter revision process and addresses concerns raised by political parties.