# Indian opposition protests and political row over Electioner > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indian-political-opposition-protests-and-police-misconduct > Updated: 2026-10-17T11:58:10.000Z. Sources: 109. Developments: 10. The political row over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified in mid-October. On October 12, members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) staged a protest at Rajiv Chowk metro station, demanding resignations over allegations of ‘vote theft’. The demonstration resulted in physical clashes between activists and Delhi Police, with video footage showing altercations between female protesters and female officers. NSUI National President Vinod Jakhar was among those detained. Following the protests, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed allegations of severe police misconduct, including claims that students suffered physical assault and mistreatment during detention. Gandhi accused the Delhi Police of refusing to register a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the violence. On October 17, Gandhi leveled further allegations, claiming police personnel engaged in sexual harassment, including ‘pulling clothes and touching private parts’, which he characterized as a conspiracy to intimidate dissenters. In response to the unrest, Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar as an official protest site, ending its 33-year history and redirecting demonstrators to locations such as Ramlila Ground and Burari Ground. Critics argue this move marginalizes dissent by moving protests away from the seat of power. Adding to the legal friction, journalist Richa Parashar filed a criminal complaint against Rahul Gandhi following a protest march near the Supreme Court on October 12. Parashar, who is approximately 11 weeks pregnant, alleges that Gandhi grabbed her by the shoulder or arm and that security personnel subsequently pushed her, causing injuries. The Congress Party has dismissed these allegations as ‘baseless and politically motivated’. ## Claims - Approximately 50 Members of Parliament were among those detained during the protests. (disputed by 7 sources) - Police detained 91 people, including several Members of Parliament and leaders, during the protest. (disputed by 7 sources) - The BJD alleged that 13 crore voters have been deleted from electoral rolls across India during the SIR process. (disputed by 2 sources) - Over 130 million names have been removed from provisional electoral lists during the revision process. (disputed) - Opposition leaders are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar due to alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Delhi Police detained several Members of Parliament, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during a protest march. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Opposition leaders are protesting against alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The opposition claims the revised voter lists are designed to favor the BJP. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Mohan Bhagwat, and Gyanesh Kumar have hijacked the country through vote theft. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Approximately 300 Opposition MPs intended to meet the Election Commissioners to submit their concerns. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-17: Rahul Gandhi accuses Delhi Police of harassing female protesters Rahul Gandhi has accused the Delhi Police of sexual harassment and brutality against female protesters, calling it a conspiracy to silence democratic dissent and intimidate the public. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-accuses-delhi-police-of-harassing-female-protesters ### 2026-10-17: Rahul Gandhi faces complaint from journalist over alleged assault Journalist Richa Parashar has filed a complaint against Rahul Gandhi, alleging he and his security team pushed her during a protest, causing injury to the pregnant reporter. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-accuses-delhi-police-of-misconduct-against-female-protesters ### 2026-10-16: Jantar Mantar de-notified as official Delhi protest site Delhi Police has de-notified Jantar Mantar as a protest site, sparking backlash and allegations of police brutality and political suppression amid ongoing demonstrations in India's capital. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-vows-legal-action-over-alleged-delhi-police-assault-on-students ### 2026-10-14: Rahul Gandhi joins students alleging Delhi Police misconduct Rahul Gandhi joined protesting students in New Delhi to address allegations of police brutality and misconduct during recent demonstrations against the Special Intensive Revision. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-joins-students-alleging-delhi-police-misconduct ### 2026-10-13: NSUI protests in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner NSUI activists protested in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, leading to clashes with police and several detentions. The INDIA Bloc plans further legal and political action. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsui-protesters-detained-in-new-delhi-over-election-commission-demands ### 2026-10-12: Rahul Gandhi criticizes Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Rahul Gandhi accused the central government of protecting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and criticized heavy police presence in Delhi as protesters prepare to approach the Supreme Court. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-criticizes-chief-election-commissioner-gyanesh-kumar ### 2026-10-06: Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi face FIRs following Delhi protest clashes Delhi Police filed FIRs against Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi following protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged electoral roll irregularities. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-and-priyanka-gandhi-face-fir-after-delhi-protest ### 2026-10-03: Delhi Police accused of misconduct against women at Jantar Mantar Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi demand accountability from Home Minister Amit Shah following allegations of police misconduct against women and female journalists during protests at Jantar Mantar. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-demands-response-from-amit-shah-over-delhi-police-misconduct-allegations ### 2026-10-03: Rahul Gandhi and opposition MPs detained during Delhi protest against Election Commission Opposition leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were detained in New Delhi during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over controversial voter list revisions. 83 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-leads-protests-against-election-commission-and-alleges-police-brutality ### 2026-10-03: Rahul Gandhi launches 'Satyagraha' platform and alleges police misconduct Rahul Gandhi launched 'Satyagraha,' a digital platform to map and support nationwide protests. He also demanded answers from Amit Shah over allegations of Delhi Police misconduct at Jantar Mantar. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-launches-satyagraha-digital-initiative-for-citizens --- Cite as: Indian opposition protests and political row over Electioner. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indian-political-opposition-protests-and-police-misconduct