The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Tuesday, 6 October extended its support to the INDIA bloc's protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing the agitation as a constitutionally protected exercise. Notably, the DMK and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did not physically participate in the protest, which is being staged to demand the CEC's resignation.

DMK's Position: Support Without Presence

DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan defended the protesters' right to demonstrate, placing the blame squarely on the ruling dispensation for obstructing them. 'When they want to protest and take out a procession to the Election Commission, they should be allowed to do so. But the BJP government stopped them from going. It is the fundamental right of an individual to protest. But they put up barricades to prevent them, so Rahul Gandhi had to climb over them,' he said.

The stance underscores a recurring dynamic within the INDIA bloc — member parties lending political backing without always sharing the physical risk of confrontation with authorities.

Rahul Gandhi Climbs Barricades, Briefly Detained

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, escalated the standoff by climbing police barricades and waving the Tricolour as security personnel blocked the INDIA bloc MPs from marching toward the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters. His sister and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also briefly detained alongside him.

Addressing reporters at the scene, Gandhi said approximately 300 MPs from both Houses of Parliament had been stopped from meeting the Commission. 'Here, there were around 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. We wanted to meet Gyanesh Kumar and his two colleagues, but the police have stopped us. We are representatives of this country, and we represent the country's people,' he said.

300 MPs, 50 Yards Away: Gandhi's Pointed Allegation

Gandhi highlighted the proximity of the Commission's office to underscore what he described as an unreasonable blockade. 'Three hundred MPs were stopped here, and after that, they have made us sit here. The Election Commission is just 50 yards away, but they are not allowing us to go there. I don't understand what the problem is,' he said.

He further questioned the implications for democratic accountability: 'Three hundred MPs want to meet Gyanesh Kumar, and Gyanesh Kumar is scared. So, I don't know what is happening in the country. If representatives cannot meet the Election Commission, then what is the meaning of democracy?'

Background: The SIR Row and the INDIA Bloc's Demands

The protest centres on alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a process that opposition parties claim has been conducted in a partisan or flawed manner. The INDIA bloc has demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, arguing that the integrity of the revision process is critical to free and fair elections.

This is not the first time opposition parties have raised concerns about the ECI's functioning under the current CEC. The confrontation on Tuesday marks a significant escalation, with a record number of MPs reportedly attempting a coordinated march to the Commission's offices. As the opposition continues to press its case, the government's response — and the ECI's own clarification on the SIR process — will be closely watched in the coming days.