On Friday, Delhi Police detained several protesters who were marching towards the Election Commission of India headquarters in central Delhi. The demonstration was aimed at opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Authorities enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which restricts public gatherings, leading to the march being halted.

Following the interruption, the protesters, comprising various groups and regions, convened a ‘People’s Parliament’ on the road. This demonstration is part of a larger campaign that includes protests across 88 cities in 18 states, scheduled to continue until November 1. In response to the event, security measures were heightened, and traffic diversions were implemented throughout central Delhi.

The march was organised by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR, a collective of concerned citizens. It commenced near Gole Dak Khana, at the intersection of Kalibari Marg and Bhai Vir Singh Marg. Participants displayed the national flag and carried banners demanding the cessation of the electoral roll revision process.

Allegations of Voter Removal

Protesters voiced their discontent through slogans directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, chanting phrases such as “Gyanesh Kumar, resign,” “Halt SIR,” and “Won’t tolerate vote theft.” They alleged that the SIR exercise had led to the removal of numerous voters from the electoral rolls.

The demonstration saw participation from students, young individuals, and farmers. Notable figures included senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, along with members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association and the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation. Support was also extended by the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan and the Students’ Federation of India, with activists from Delhi, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh joining the protest.

After being stopped by the police, the protesters chose to sit on the road and hold the ‘People’s Parliament’ as announced by the organisers. One protester remarked that the movement was not merely about reclaiming Jantar Mantar as a protest venue but rather about preserving democracy and the nation itself.

Wider Campaign and Traffic Disruptions

The collective known as People Against SIR has launched a website detailing the protests occurring in various cities. They claim that 145 organisations are involved in demonstrations across 88 cities in 18 states, with activities planned from Friday through November 1. The organisers have called upon farmers, workers, young people, women, and various community members to participate in the protests while carrying the national flag.

The Delhi protest is expected to conclude with the adoption of resolutions and the singing of the national anthem. Traffic diversions were enforced in parts of central Delhi from 1 pm to 5 pm due to the march, with congestion anticipated around key locations such as Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Connaught Place, Parliament Street, and Jantar Mantar.

In light of the march and subsequent detentions, the Delhi Traffic Police advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel through the affected areas, urging them to plan their journeys accordingly and adhere to instructions from traffic personnel. The protests and detentions occurred amidst ongoing concerns raised by opposition parties and various organisations regarding the SIR exercise and allegations of voter deletions from the electoral rolls.

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