IndiaPosted at: Oct 23 2026 7:41PM


Police stop anti-SIR march in Delhi; protesters demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation

New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) Police on Friday stopped a protest march against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in central Delhi as demonstrators sought to proceed towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, alleging that the exercise could lead to the exclusion of eligible voters.
Organised by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR, the demonstration began near Gole Dak Khana, at the junction of Kalibari Marg and Bhai Vir Singh Marg. The protesters were mobilising under the banner of a wider campaign seeking the withdrawal of the voter-roll revision exercise, the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and what they described as the restoration of democracy.
The march was part of a growing mobilisation against the SIR process, with the organisers bringing together groups representing students, farmers, workers and civil society. The collective had earlier announced plans to take its campaign beyond the national capital, using the slogan, “Har Gali Mein Jantar Mantar, Har Gaon Mein Jantar Mantar, Mera Ghar Jantar Mantar”.
In a statement issued on October 18, the platform said its march to reclaim democracy would not seek police permission at any location. It also cautioned police, paramilitary forces, and prison authorities against using force against peaceful demonstrators.
People Against SIR was formed on October 14 at Surjeet Bhavan in New Delhi, with participation from organisations representing farmers, workers, women, students, Adivasis, Dalits and minority communities.
The group has questioned the legality of the electoral roll revision exercise and called for voter lists to be restored to their pre-2024 versions, followed by updates through social audits. It has argued that the revision should adhere to the Election Commission's own manual and the guidelines of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, reiterated their resolve to continue the agitation, with Das asserting that Kumar would ultimately have to resign.
The two leaders appeared before the Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg police station on Friday in connection with separate cases registered against them.
“The movement continues. We are custodians of this platform, which has been given to us by the people of this country. We are just trying to do our best. The movement continues even when we are in jail,” Ranka told reporters after appearing before the magistrate.
He said the experience had prompted the group to reassess its approach and understand the functioning of the administration. The next course of action would be announced once the plans were finalised, he added.
Ranka also said the verification of sureties had been completed and that the matter had been assigned a fresh date in the third week of November. In a notice issued by the Crime Branch, he said the leaders were awaiting confirmation of a date and time, adding that they had informed the authorities about their inability to attend on the previous date.
The Delhi Traffic Police had issued an advisory ahead of the anticipated protest movement, announcing diversions between 1 pm and 5 pm in areas around Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, Connaught Place, Parliament Street and Jantar Mantar. Commuters were advised to avoid affected stretches, plan their journeys in advance and follow directions issued by traffic personnel.
UNI PWS RSA
Tags: #Police stop anti-SIR march in Delhi; protesters demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation
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