BJP defends police action on CEC Gyanesh Kumar protests, accuses Opposition of seeking regime change
Synopsis
What began as a protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has escalated into a full-blown political clash, with the BJP accusing the Opposition of seeking 'regime change' and drawing a parallel with Bangladesh. With Supreme Court petitions, Delhi Police prohibitory orders, and Emergency-era comparisons all in play, the row has moved well beyond the CEC's tenure.
Key Takeaways
BJP Telangana President N.
Ramchander Rao defended police detentions of protesters at Jantar Mantar on 17 October 2026 , citing defiance of administrative directions.
Rao alleged businessmen had approached the Supreme Court seeking removal of the protest site from Jantar Mantar .
The BJP accused the Opposition of publicly stating intent to seek regime change , calling the move 'dangerous.' Parkash Reddy flagged Delhi Police prohibitory orders against gatherings at Connaught Place ahead of a planned CJP flag protest.
National spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticised P.
Chidambaram for defending the phrase 'regime change' and alleged the Opposition was inspired by developments in Bangladesh .
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday, 17 October 2026 mounted a sharp defence of police action against demonstrators protesting the continuation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the Opposition of escalating its demands from the CEC's removal to openly calling for regime change. The remarks came as detentions of protesters drew comparisons to the Emergency, a charge the BJP categorically rejected.
BJP Telangana Chief Defends Detentions
N. Ramchander Rao, President of the BJP's Telangana unit, said protesters were taken into custody for defying administrative directions and attempting to create public disturbances. 'Those trying to disturb peace, create anarchy and violate the law by ignoring administrative directions for protests are being taken into custody by the police as per the law,' Rao said.
Rao also claimed that businessmen and shopkeepers had approached the Supreme Court seeking the removal of the protest site from Jantar Mantar. He alleged that protesters had openly stated at a press conference their intent to create violence and seek regime change. 'Regime change happens through elections every five years, and people can fight on issues. Their intentions are dangerous, and the police are taking action,' he added.
Emergency Comparison Rejected
Responding to comparisons between the current police action and the Emergency of 1975, Rao criticised former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for making such remarks. He pointed out that the Emergency had been imposed by the Indian National Congress (Congress) government under late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, questioning why the party had taken that decision. The BJP has repeatedly sought to use this historical reference to deflect criticism of the present-day crackdown.
Flag Hoisting Row at Connaught Place
BJP leader Parkash Reddy separately addressed a planned protest by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) involving the hoisting of the National Flag at Connaught Place in New Delhi. Reddy said there was nothing objectionable about hoisting the Tricolour in a public park but stressed that insulting the National Flag was a punishable offence. 'Delhi Police has already issued notices prohibiting gatherings at Connaught Place due to public inconvenience and potential law-and-order problems,' he said.
National Spokesperson Targets Chidambaram
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also entered the fray, criticising senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram for defending the use of the phrase 'regime change.' Bhandari alleged that the Opposition had exposed what he called its 'anarchic intentions' and drew a parallel with political developments in Bangladesh, suggesting the Opposition was drawing inspiration from those events. Critics argue the BJP's framing is aimed at delegitimising constitutionally protected protest.
The Broader Context
The protests centre on demands for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, with opposition groups alleging a lack of institutional independence at the Election Commission of India (ECI). The BJP has characterised these demands as a pattern of destabilisation, while Opposition leaders maintain the protests are a democratic exercise. This is not the first time protests at Jantar Mantar have sparked a political confrontation over the boundaries of dissent. All detentions remain subject to due legal process, according to official statements.
The standoff is likely to intensify ahead of upcoming state assembly cycles, with both sides framing the dispute as a test of democratic norms.
Point of View
But invoking it does not answer whether detaining protesters at Jantar Mantar is proportionate. The Bangladesh reference by Bhandari is particularly pointed and warrants scrutiny — it conflates peaceful constitutional agitation with political destabilisation. With state elections on the horizon, both sides have every incentive to keep this conflict at a high pitch, and the Election Commission's credibility will remain a live fault line until the CEC issue is resolved through legitimate institutional channels.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are protesters being detained near Jantar Mantar?
Protesters demonstrating against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are being detained, according to BJP leaders, for violating administrative directions and allegedly attempting to create public disturbances. The BJP says police action is being carried out in accordance with legal procedures.
What is the BJP's accusation against the Opposition over these protests?
The BJP has accused the Opposition of escalating its demands from seeking the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar to openly calling for regime change. National spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged the Opposition has exposed 'anarchic intentions' and drew comparisons with developments in Bangladesh.
Why has the Connaught Place flag protest become controversial?
The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) planned to hoist the National Flag at Connaught Place in New Delhi as part of the protests. Delhi Police issued prohibitory notices banning gatherings at the site, citing public inconvenience and law-and-order concerns. BJP leader Parkash Reddy said hoisting the flag is not wrong but warned that insulting it is a punishable offence.
How did the BJP respond to Emergency-era comparisons?
BJP Telangana President N. Ramchander Rao rejected the comparison, pointing out that the Emergency of 1975 was imposed by the Congress government under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He questioned why the Congress, which made that decision, was now drawing parallels to the current situation.
What is the core dispute over CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
Opposition groups have been demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging concerns about the independence of the Election Commission of India. The BJP has characterised these protests as a broader attempt at destabilisation, while Opposition leaders assert the demonstrations are a legitimate democratic exercise.
