The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) marched from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on September 25, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This demonstration was part of a larger nationwide movement by Congress, aimed at highlighting grievances over the Election Commission’s operations, particularly regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protests have escalated across various states in India.

IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib stated that the protests would continue until Gyanesh Kumar is held accountable. He accused Kumar of betraying the democratic rights of the Indian populace and warned that efforts to evade the law would be closely monitored. Chib asserted that the struggle is not merely a party issue but one concerning every citizen’s right to vote, emphasising that the movement would persist until action is taken against Kumar.

Chib’s remarks included strong language against Kumar, portraying him as a traitor and aligning his actions with perceived threats to the nation’s democracy. He reiterated that Kumar would face consequences for his alleged misdeeds related to the Election Commission.

Protests Across Various States

The situation intensified in Patna, Bihar, where police employed water cannons to disperse Congress activists protesting against Gyanesh Kumar’s leadership. Similar measures were reported in Punjab, where demonstrators in Chandigarh faced police efforts to control the crowd. Some protesters climbed on top of police vans during these demonstrations.

In addition to Bihar and Punjab, Congress protests also took place in states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Manipur. In Shimla, Congress members expressed their grievances outside the State Election Commission offices, blackening the official logo in protest. In Dehradun, demonstrators marched to the Election Office led by prominent Congress leaders.

In Manipur, demonstrators, led by prominent Congress leaders, demanded Kumar’s arrest and prosecution, culminating in the burning of an effigy of the Chief Election Commissioner. The situation escalated as clashes broke out between the protesters and the police, leading to the use of tear gas. In Jammu, significant police presence was noted outside the Election Commission office, while Congress MLAs staged protests within the Legislative Assembly in Srinagar.

Concerns Over Election Commission’s Handling of Electoral Rolls

The protests have arisen amid a political controversy surrounding the SIR process. Reports indicated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised concerns regarding the Commission’s decisions and procedures on numerous occasions over the past ten months. However, the Election Commission has refuted claims of dissent within its ranks, asserting that all decisions on the SIR were made unanimously.

Congress leaders hinted at the possibility of an impeachment motion against Kumar in Parliament, signalling further political ramifications as the party seeks accountability. The issue is set to be discussed in greater detail at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29 in New Delhi. This ongoing tension reflects the party’s commitment to addressing electoral integrity concerns in the face of what they describe as systemic failures.

As the protests continue, the Congress party appears determined to mobilise public sentiment against the perceived shortcomings of the Election Commission, framing the issue as central to safeguarding democracy in India. The outcomes of these demonstrations and political actions will likely shape future electoral processes and governance practices in the country.

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