Protests Escalate Over CEC's Actions, Journalist Detained

The Cliff News | 5 October 2026

New Delhi witnessed escalating protests on Sunday and Monday, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The demonstrations intensified as a woman journalist, who has accused ACP Vivek Bhagat of sexual harassment, was detained again on Monday morning.

Independent journalists and activists have spent a second consecutive night protesting outside the Parliament Street police station, demanding the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against ACP Bhagat. The CEC's conduct and the manner in which the poll panel has taken decisions are facing scrutiny, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear a batch of pleas on Monday challenging the CEC's actions and seeking his suspension.

Journalist Detained Amid Protests

The woman journalist, who had accused ACP Vivek Bhagat of sexual harassment and manhandling while covering a protest, was detained on Monday morning and taken to the Delhi Cantonment police station. This incident has fueled the ongoing protests, with many seeing it as a reprisal against those speaking out.

Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) reported that detainees, including women, alleged they were assaulted by the police. CJP’s legal head, Ratna Singh, stated that two individuals were allegedly "brutally beaten." The protests outside Parliament Street police station continued overnight, highlighting the growing concern over the alleged misconduct and the perceived lack of accountability.

Supreme Court to Hear Challenges to CEC's Decisions

The Supreme Court is set to hear a series of pleas on Monday that seek the suspension of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. These petitions also challenge the decision-making process of the Election Commission, alleging that key decisions were made without the approval of the other two election commissioners.

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of the Supreme Court had previously remarked that any process leading to the disenfranchisement of millions of citizens is "intrinsically arbitrary" and a "negation" of the constitutional order. These remarks are seen as significant in the context of the ongoing protests and legal challenges against the Election Commission.

Protests Intensify Against SIR and CEC

Demonstrations seeking the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls have been ongoing for three days. Protests have been held in both New Delhi and Mumbai.

In New Delhi, confrontations occurred between protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar and the Delhi Police. The police heavily barricaded the area and stopped the march on Ashoka Road, detaining nearly 500 people on Sunday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers also marched to India Gate on Sunday, demanding the CEC's resignation.

Political Reactions and Accusations

The Congress party has been vocal in its criticism of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, stated that the CEC must resign immediately, accusing him of being a "liability for the country" due to his alleged ability to "execute G2’s illegal orders."

Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar acted "completely illegally" and violated parliamentary law. Chavan further accused the CEC of "helping someone illegally win elections due to his biased policies." The party has pointed to at least 14 instances over the past 10 months where election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly objected to decisions made without their knowledge or recommendation during the SIR process.

Uttar Pradesh CM Defends SIR

Amidst the protests, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on Monday. He stated that identifying and removing illegally included ineligible names is crucial for India's security and unity.

Adityanath asserted that the SIR exercise is an important effort to strengthen India's democratic heritage. He emphasized the necessity of verifying entries related to deceased persons, those who have permanently shifted, and duplicate entries. He also appealed to citizens who have turned 18 to get their names included in the voter list.

INDIA Bloc Plans Further Protests

The INDIA bloc, in the national capital, announced plans to stage a protest outside the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Ashok Kumar, on Wednesday, October 7. The bloc seeks the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged flaws in the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral rolls.