New Delhi Protests Target Election Commissioner; Security Heightened

Opposition parties and civil society groups held a series of protests in New Delhi from Oct. 10-12, calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of partiality. The events prompted a significant security response from the government, which included the deployment of thousands of police personnel and restrictions on public assembly and transportation.

The protests culminated on Monday, Oct. 12, when Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi led a march toward the Supreme Court. Participants, including lawmakers and activists, stated their goal was to seek the court’s intervention regarding the Election Commission. According to reports, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to meet the delegation, citing the separation of powers.

The demonstrations center on the appointment of Kumar, the first Chief Election Commissioner selected under a new law that alters the appointment process. Opposition parties have alleged bias in the commission’s operations, including recent revisions to the electoral roll which they claim have improperly removed voters.

In the days leading up to a planned protest on Saturday, Oct. 10, organized by the youth group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), authorities in New Delhi implemented extensive security measures. An estimated 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed throughout the capital. The administration invoked legal provisions to prohibit the assembly of five or more people in large parts of the city.

Additional measures included the suspension or diversion of dozens of trains scheduled to arrive in New Delhi, the temporary closure of metro stations, and the placement of barricades on roads leading to the Jantar Mantar protest site. Internet services were also reportedly restricted in parts of central Delhi. On Saturday morning, police detained three CJP leaders upon their arrival by flight at the New Delhi airport.

Despite these measures, thousands of demonstrators gathered in various locations across the city on Saturday. Clashes between protesters and police were reported, and authorities detained numerous individuals, including lawyers, journalists, and several opposition politicians. Some of those detained made public allegations of police brutality.

A spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement expressing concern over the situation. In response, India’s government accused the U.N. office of bias.

By Monday, the government had modified its approach. Instead of widespread closures, entry and exit were restricted at six central metro stations for a designated period. Jantar Mantar was denotified as an official protest venue, and three alternate locations were designated for demonstrations.

The Supreme Court has reportedly directed authorities to review the use of barricades, ensure the normal functioning of public transportation, and provide legal justification for any suspension of internet services.

Opposition leaders and protest organizers have publicly stated their intention to continue demonstrations. “How long will you keep Delhi locked down?” opposition parliamentarian Mahua Moitra posted on social media on Oct. 10. “Nobody, but nobody, can stop us.”

After being released from detention, CJP founder-convenor Abhijeet Dipke said the protests would go on, stating that Jantar Mantar was “a spirit of resistance that nobody can ever take away.”

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has commented on the protests. “We will deal firmly with all such forces active outside or inside the country,” said BJP President Nitin Nabin, who alleged that the demonstrations were supported by “anti-national and foreign-funded forces” aiming to destabilize the country.