Nationwide Protests Against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
Why in news?
Widespread protests were organized across India, particularly in Delhi and Kashmir, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Key points
- Protests were called by groups like the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and supported by the INDIA bloc, Left parties, and regional parties in J&K.
- Demands include the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and an inquiry into alleged "vote theft" and "vote chori" (vote fraud).
- Authorities imposed significant security measures, including detentions, internet shutdowns, metro station closures, and road blockades in Delhi.
- Protests also took place in Kashmir, with regional parties likening Delhi's security clampdown to the situation in Kashmir in 2019.
Background & context
Concerns have been raised about the integrity of electoral processes and the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in previous instances as well. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise by the ECI is a periodic process to update electoral rolls.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Over 3,300 protesters were reportedly detained in Delhi alone on October 10, 2026.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper I: Society (protests, dissent); GS Paper II: Polity (Electoral process, Election Commission, Constitutional bodies, Fundamental Rights - freedom of speech and assembly).