130 Million Voters Deleted - India Erupts as Rahul Gandhi Demands CEC’s Removal, Then Modi

NEW DELHI, Oct 12: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, led thousands of protesters towards the Supreme Court on Monday, demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and calling for his resignation.

The protesters were stopped by police on Bhagwan Das Road before they could reach the Supreme Court on Tilak Marg, around 2 km away. Thousands of demonstrators remained gathered on Bhagwan Das Road and in nearby areas.

The protest follows a petition filed in the Supreme Court alleging large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petitioners include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.

Ahead of the march, Rahul Gandhi told reporters that the demonstration was a single protest against Kumar, rejecting the suggestion that separate agitations were taking place. He alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner was acting under pressure from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The march comes a day after police detained thousands of people across Delhi on Saturday, October 10, as demonstrators were prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative protest venues following a request from Cockroach Janata Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to hold a peaceful demonstration over the alleged electoral roll irregularities.

Ahead of Monday’s protest, entry and exit gates at six Delhi Metro stations — Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk — were ordered closed until 4 pm, although interchange facilities remained available.

The Supreme Court on Sunday directed the Centre to ensure normal Delhi Metro services and uninterrupted internet access amid the protests. It said any restrictions must comply with the constitutional provisions governing public order under Article 19(2).