After police stopped the march, protesters sat down and held a ‘People’s Parliament’, as announced by the organisers. Photo: PTI
Delhi Police detain protesters during anti-SIR march to Election Commission
Protesters under the People Against SIR banner marched towards the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi, while police invoked Section 163 of the BNSS
Delhi Police detained several protesters on Friday (October 23) as a march against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls made its way towards the Election Commission (EC) headquarters.
As the procession moved through central Delhi, police invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which bars mass gatherings, reported PTI, quoting sources.
Protesters march against SIR
The Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR, a people’s collective, organised the protest. Participants assembled near Gole Dak Khana, where Kalibari Marg meets Bhai Vir Singh Marg, and set off with national flags and banners demanding an end to the voter roll revision exercise.
Also Read: How the Modi government seeks to delegitimise anti-SIR movement
Along the route, they shouted slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, including “Gyanesh Kumar, resign”, “Halt SIR” and “Won’t tolerate vote theft”. Protesters accused the SIR exercise of removing numerous voters from the electoral rolls.
Left outfits take part
The gathering included students, young people and farmers. Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also joined the march, along with members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO).
The Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) had backed the demonstration. Activists from Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh took part.
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Security was tightened across central Delhi, with police and Rapid Action Force personnel deployed in large numbers. After police stopped the march, protesters sat down and held a ‘People’s Parliament’, as announced by the organisers.
“This is not about reclaiming Jantar Mantar; this is about saving democracy and the country,” a protester said.
Protests planned in 88 cities
People Against SIR has launched a website listing planned protests in various cities. The collective said demonstrations would take place in 88 cities across 18 states, involving 145 organisations, between Friday and November 1.
Organisers have called on farmers, workers, young people, women and other sections of society to join in, carrying the national flag. They said the Delhi protest would end with the adoption of resolutions and the singing of the national anthem.
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Traffic diversions were in place in parts of central Delhi from 1 pm to 5 pm for the march, with congestion expected around Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Connaught Place, Parliament Street and Jantar Mantar.
The Delhi Traffic Police advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel through the affected areas and to plan their journeys. They were also asked to follow directions from traffic personnel.
(With agency inputs)