Left parties, student groups march to EC headquarters, demand Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
Synopsis
Left-wing parties, student federations, and civil society groups converged on the Election Commission of India headquarters in New Delhi on 23 October, intensifying calls for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the controversial Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. With detentions reported and the BJP launching a counter-campaign, the standoff between Opposition groups and India's poll body is deepening.
Key Takeaways
Left-wing groups including AISF and AIYF marched to the ECI headquarters in New Delhi on 23 October 2026 .
Protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Brinda Karat , P Sandosh Kumar , and Yogendra Yadav addressed demonstrators; several protesters were detained by police.
Earlier agitations this month were led by the INDIA Bloc and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) , resulting in brief detentions of leaders.
The BJP has launched a nationwide counter-campaign titled 'Save democracy, remove anarchy' to defend the SIR process.
Protest leaders have vowed to intensify and scale up demonstrations in the coming days.
Several Left-wing organisations, student leaders, and civil society members on Friday, 23 October 2026, marched towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters in New Delhi amid heavy security deployment, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Protest March
Demonstrators, including members of the All India Students' Federation (AISF) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF), assembled near Bangla Sahib Gurdwara at Connaught Place before marching to the ECI headquarters near Patel Chowk. Among the prominent faces were Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader P Sandosh Kumar, and political activist Yogendra Yadav.
Heavy police presence was reported outside the ECI headquarters, and several protesters were detained during the demonstration. The Delhi Traffic Police had earlier issued advisories asking commuters to avoid affected routes between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
What the Protesters Said
Addressing reporters at the site, Yadav declared: 'The protests will continue uninterrupted. If you shut down one Jantar Mantar, hundreds of Jantar Mantars will emerge. You may silence one person, but you cannot silence the people. This movement will continue in its own form because it is about the most basic democratic rights of the people of this country.'
CPI leader P Sandosh Kumar struck a more pointed tone, warning: '...We will intensify our movement in the coming days, and there will be larger gatherings. We will continue our agitation until the resignation of Mr. Gyanesh Kumar. No one can save him for sure.'
Background: SIR Controversy and Growing Unrest
The protests gained fresh momentum following a media report claiming differences within the poll panel over procedures related to the SIR. The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has been at the centre of a broader controversy, with critics alleging the exercise could lead to large-scale deletions of voter names, particularly among marginalised communities.
This is not the first such demonstration. Earlier this month, agitations against CEC Kumar were led by the Opposition INDIA Bloc and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which resulted in brief detentions of several leaders. The Friday march marks an escalation, with Left formations and student bodies formally joining the call for the CEC's removal.
BJP's Counter-Campaign
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a nationwide campaign titled 'Save democracy, remove anarchy' in response to the Opposition's criticism of the SIR. The ruling party has defended the electoral roll revision as a legitimate administrative exercise, framing opposition protests as an attempt to undermine the credibility of India's election machinery.
What Comes Next
Protest leaders have signalled that agitations will be sustained and scaled up in the coming days. The standoff between Opposition groups and the Election Commission is likely to intensify as political pressure mounts on the poll body ahead of upcoming state electoral cycles. Whether the CEC or the Commission responds formally to the demands remains to be seen.
Point of View
Broadening the pressure coalition and giving the movement a grassroots veneer. Yet the core demand — resignation of a sitting CEC — is constitutionally exceptional and remains well outside the likely short-term range of outcomes; the Commission has not formally responded. The BJP's 'Save democracy, remove anarchy' counter-framing is a sign that both sides see electoral roll integrity as a live battleground ahead of upcoming assembly cycles. What this contest ultimately reveals is a deeper crisis of trust in electoral institutions — one that no single resignation, or counter-campaign, can resolve without structural transparency reforms around the SIR process itself.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Left parties and student groups demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation?
They are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Critics contend the revision process could result in large-scale deletions of voter names, raising concerns about democratic participation.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The Special Intensive Revision is a periodic exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and clean up voter lists. The current controversy centres on allegations that the process, under CEC Gyanesh Kumar, lacks transparency and could disenfranchise eligible voters.
Were any protesters detained during the march on 23 October?
Yes, several protesters were detained by police outside the ECI headquarters on 23 October 2026. Heavy security was deployed in the area, and Delhi Traffic Police issued diversions from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm in anticipation of the march.
How has the BJP responded to the protests against the Election Commission?
The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a nationwide campaign called 'Save democracy, remove anarchy' to counter Opposition criticism of the SIR. The ruling party has defended the electoral roll revision as a legitimate and necessary administrative process.
Who led the protests at the ECI headquarters?
Prominent figures included CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, CPI leader P Sandosh Kumar, and political activist Yogendra Yadav, alongside members of the All India Students' Federation and All India Youth Federation. Earlier this month, the INDIA Bloc and the Cockroach Janta Party had led similar demonstrations.
