Chaos in Delhi as anti-CEC protests intensify; Neha Bora, AAP leaders detained again

Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar intensified in Delhi on Sunday (October 4), with student groups and political parties stepping up their mobilisation at Jantar Mantar and other parts of the capital.

All India Students’ Association (AISA) activists marched towards Jantar Mantar from Andhra Bhawan Circle on Ashoka Road, raising slogans against the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The area was heavily barricaded, with a large police presence deployed to prevent protesters from crossing into restricted areas.

'Taken in private vehicle'

The protesters briefly clashed with security personnel as they tried to cross the barricades. Visuals circulating on social media showed AISA national president Neha Bora attempting to climb over a barricade as police personnel tried to stop her.

AISA members later alleged that Bora was picked up by Delhi Police in a private vehicle without an official number plate and taken to an unknown location during the protest march. They also alleged that no woman police officer was present inside the vehicle when she was taken away, calling it a violation of procedure.

However, there was no immediate reaction from the Delhi Police on the allegations. Bora was reportedly released after a brief detention.

Also read: CEC resignation protest: Delhi Police register 3 FIRs over Jantar Mantar stir

The latest mobilisation came a day after more than 150 protesters were detained in Delhi on Saturday (October 3). More than 500 protesters, including student activists and political leaders, were detained during demonstrations on Friday, with Bora, AAP leaders and activist Yogendra Yadav among those detained.

AAP workers detained

The protests also spread to India Gate, where AAP workers gathered demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR process.

AAP Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj and MLA Sanjeev Jha were among those detained. A police officer said at least 25 AAP workers were detained during the protest.

Bharadwaj alleged on X that Delhi Police turned him upside down while detaining him to prevent cameras from recording the action. Jha said concerns over voting rights could not be addressed through “silence, pressure or police action”.

The Delhi units of INDIA bloc parties have meanwhile announced a joint protest outside the Delhi Election Commission office on October 7, demanding the repeal of the SIR process and the resignation of the CEC.

Also read: Protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar continue; AISA activists, senior advocates held in Delhi

Representatives of the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), RJD, NCP and RSP took part in a meeting where the decision was taken. The parties described the SIR as “flawed” and demanded that electoral roll revisions be conducted transparently and in accordance with constitutional provisions and voters’ rights.

Women journalists allege harassment

The protests have also triggered allegations of sexual harassment against Delhi Police personnel.

Three women journalists have accused police officers deployed during Saturday’s protest at Jantar Mantar of touching them inappropriately while they were reporting on the demonstrations.

Delhi Police said on Sunday that complaints received by the New Delhi district had been transferred to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry”.

Several independent journalists and social media influencers had also protested outside Parliament Street police station on Saturday evening, demanding FIRs against the police personnel accused in the matter, including an ACP.

AISA has separately alleged that female students and journalists were manhandled and assaulted during the protest.

More protests planned

The agitation is set to continue in Delhi, with the Citizens’ March scheduled for Sunday evening and the Indian Youth Congress announcing another protest demanding Kumar’s resignation. On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear a batch of pleas seeking CEC Kumar's suspension over this issue.

The protests follow an Indian Express investigation which reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on record at least 14 times in 10 months over decisions and orders related to the SIR that they said were issued without their knowledge or recommendation.

Also read: Error of judgment? Why Congress went missing at Delhi protests

The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion of institutional disagreement affecting the validity of its decisions, saying differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations and that all its orders have full legal sanction.

Meanwhile, the SIR protests have spread beyond Delhi, with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS leader Raj Thackeray leading a joint march in Mumbai on Sunday.