Delhi has seen several days of protests over the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
What began as a protest by political groups, student organisations and civil society activists has since involved mass detentions, heavy police deployment and allegations of sexual harassment by three women journalists.
The protests have also brought together groups that do not usually operate under one banner, including student organisations, opposition leaders, lawyers, activists and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP.
Here is what has happened in Delhi and why the protests have continued.
Why Are People Protesting?
At the centre of the protests is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission has described SIR as an exercise to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of the electoral roll while ineligible names are removed. The ECI has been carrying out the exercise in several states and Union Territories.
Protesters, however, have raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the revision process and alleged deletion of eligible voters.
They have consequently demanded greater transparency from the Election Commission and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The demonstrations have been particularly driven by student and youth groups, opposition parties and civil society activists.
How Did The Delhi Protest Begin?
On 2 October, a protest was planned at Jantar Mantar.
The mobilisation involved the All India Students' Association (AISA), SFI, NSUI, DYFI and other student and youth organisations, along with political leaders and civil society figures. AISA president Neha Bora, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan were among those associated with the protest call.
Delhi Police had not granted permission for the demonstration and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the New Delhi district.
The order restricted gatherings of five or more people, processions, demonstrations and dharnas without prior written permission.
Despite the restrictions, protesters gathered and attempted to reach Jantar Mantar.
Over 700 People Detained On Day One
The first day saw a major police operation across central Delhi.
Police said more than 700 protesters were detained from Jantar Mantar and nearby areas. AAP leaders including Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha and Sanjay Singh were among those detained. Student activists, including Neha Bora, were also taken into custody.
The detentions were carried out at several locations as protesters attempted to reach the demonstration site.
Police also imposed traffic restrictions and tightened security around central Delhi. Several Metro stations were temporarily affected during the protests.
Three FIRs were subsequently registered against protesters for allegedly violating prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS. Two were registered at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station.
What Happened To The Journalists?
The demonstrations did not end with the mass detentions.
On 3 October, protesters again gathered around Jantar Mantar. AISA activists, opposition leaders and civil society members continued to demand action against the Election Commission and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.
The day also saw allegations involving the police.
Three women journalists covering the protest alleged that they were sexually harassed or manhandled by Delhi Police personnel while reporting from the area.
Delhi Police confirmed that complaints from the three journalists had been received and transferred them to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for investigation. The police said statements were being examined and CCTV footage was being reviewed.
The controversy over the journalists' allegations became a separate part of the protests.
On the night of 4 October, journalists and others gathered outside Parliament Street police station, demanding that an FIR be registered and action be taken on the complaints.
On the morning of 5 October, around 17 people were detained after they remained outside the police station.
Those detained included freelance journalists, YouTubers and one of the women who had made the allegations. Police said the protesters were warned about the restrictions under Section 163 and were detained after they did not disperse. They were taken to Delhi Cantonment police station.
Who Else Has Been Detained?
The list of prominent people detained over the course of the protests includes:
Neha Bora, AISA national president
Atishi, AAP leader and former Delhi chief minister
Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP Delhi president
Sanjay Singh, AAP leader
Sanjeev Jha, AAP MLA
Yogendra Yadav, civil society activist
Prashant Bhushan, senior advocate
Kapil Sibal, senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP
On 4 October, around 120 people were detained as another group attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar. Bora was detained while leading a march from Andhra Bhavan Canteen. The group included student activists, civil society members and workers from the Indian Youth Congress and AAP. Police later said the detainees were released.
What Happens Next?
The protests are not over.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced another demonstration at Jantar Mantar on 10 October, describing it as “Jantar Mantar 2.0”, if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign. CJP co-convenor Saurav Das has also alleged that he, Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Ratna Singh could face arrest ahead of the proposed protest. These claims have not been independently verified.
For now, two issues remain intertwined in Delhi: the demand for accountability from the Election Commission over the SIR exercise, and the allegations made by journalists about police conduct during the protests.
The Crime Branch investigation into the journalists' complaints is ongoing, while protesters continue to call for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
Why are people protesting?
Protesters are demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
What is SIR?
The Special Intensive Revision is an Election Commission exercise to verify electoral rolls and ensure eligible voters remain registered while ineligible names are removed.
Why were people detained?
Delhi Police had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS and denied permission for the demonstrations. Protesters attempting to gather or march towards Jantar Mantar were detained.
How many people have been detained?
More than 700 were detained on 2 October, around 150 on 3 October, around 120 on 4 October, and 17 more were detained on 5 October outside Parliament Street police station. The figures refer to separate days and should not be added as a confirmed unique-person total.
Who were among those detained?
Neha Bora, Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjay Singh, Sanjeev Jha, Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal were among the prominent detainees reported during the protests.
What happened to the three women journalists?
They alleged sexual harassment or manhandling by police personnel while covering the 3 October protest. Their complaints have been transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation.
What happens next?
CJP has announced another protest at Jantar Mantar on 10 October if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign.
