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Indian opposition protests and political row over Electioner

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2026-10-17 18:10 UTC → 2026-10-18 10:40 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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, prompting him to coordinate a ‘Zero FIR’ in Kerala. He has vowed legal action against officers, stating that while police can break bones, they cannot break a ‘satyagraha’.~~ violence. On October 17, ~~the controversy escalated as~~ Gandhi leveled further ~~allegations against the Delhi Police following meetings with victims. He claimed on social media that~~ allegations, claiming police personnel engaged in sexual harassment, including ‘pulling clothes and touching private ~~parts’ during recent demonstrations. Gandhi~~ parts’, which he characterized ~~these actions~~ as a ~~deliberate~~ conspiracy to intimidate dissenters, asserting that the fear of losing power by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah is being transmitted to the police. By mid-October, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led demonstrations against the SIR process, alleging the removal of over 130 million voters from electoral rolls. Adding dissenters. In response to the ~~tension,~~ 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, including Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, claim~~ Critics argue this move ~~effectively criminalizes~~ marginalizes dissent by moving protests away from the ~~fundamental right~~ seat of power. Adding to ~~protest.~~ 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’.

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