Congress Takes Out Rally in Kolkata Seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Arrest; Police Stop It Midway

Congress Holds Protest Rally in Kolkata

The Congress staged a rally in Kolkata on Friday as part of its nationwide protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission's handling of electoral-roll revision.

The protesters demanded the arrest and removal of Kumar, raising concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and reports of differences within the Election Commission. The Kolkata demonstration was part of similar protests organised by Congress units in several states.

March Begins Near Calcutta University

Congress workers gathered outside Calcutta University and began marching towards the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer.

The demonstration was led by West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Subhankar Sarkar and AICC observer Prakash Joshi. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans demanding action against the Chief Election Commissioner.

A large number of Congress workers from different districts participated in the rally.

Police Stop March Midway

Police stopped the procession before it could reach its intended destination.

Authorities intervened citing the need to manage traffic and maintain public order. The police action prevented the protesters from proceeding further towards the election office.

Following the stoppage, protesters continued raising slogans against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission.

Effigy Burned During Protest

After the march was stopped, Congress protesters burned an effigy of Gyanesh Kumar.

The demonstrators reiterated their demand for his resignation and arrest. The protest reflected the Congress's broader allegations concerning the functioning of the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process.

These allegations represent the Congress party's position and have not been established as findings by a court or independent investigative authority.

SIR Controversy Behind Nationwide Agitation

The protests come amid an intensifying political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Congress and other Opposition leaders have raised questions about the process and have cited reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections on several occasions concerning decisions and procedures related to electoral rolls.

The controversy has also involved allegations concerning the deletion and verification of voter names.

Election Commission Rejects Claims of Institutional Split

The Election Commission has maintained that differences of opinion, observations and suggestions within a multi-member constitutional body are part of normal deliberations.

The Commission has also said that decisions concerning the SIR exercise were taken unanimously. The ECI has defended the legal framework under which electoral-roll revisions are being conducted.

The Commission's position differs from the interpretation advanced by Congress leaders, who have cited reported internal objections as grounds for demanding greater accountability.

Protests Held Across India

The Kolkata rally was one of several Congress demonstrations held across the country on September 25.

Protests were reported in Delhi, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and other locations. In some places, police detained protesters or used water cannons to disperse demonstrations.

The Congress has demanded the resignation, removal and, in some locations, arrest or prosecution of Gyanesh Kumar.

Congress Intensifies Demands Against CEC

The nationwide demonstrations have increased political pressure on the Election Commission.

Congress leaders have accused the poll panel of failing to adequately address concerns surrounding the electoral process and have sought action against the Chief Election Commissioner. The party's protests are taking place alongside its wider campaign over alleged irregularities in voter-list revision.

The allegations remain contested, with the Election Commission rejecting claims that its SIR decisions were the result of institutional disagreement.

Wider Political and Legal Dispute

The dispute over SIR has moved beyond political demonstrations, with legal and institutional questions also being raised concerning the functioning of the Election Commission.

Congress and other Opposition parties have sought greater transparency over electoral-roll procedures, while the ECI has maintained that the revision process is being carried out under the applicable legal framework.

The Kolkata protest therefore forms part of a wider national political dispute over voter lists, the SIR exercise and the functioning of the poll panel.

Key Takeaways

• Congress organised a rally in Kolkata on September 25 demanding action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

• The march began near Calcutta University and was headed towards the Chief Electoral Officer's office.

• Police stopped the procession midway, citing the need to manage the situation and traffic.

• Protesters demanded Kumar's arrest and resignation and burned his effigy.

• The demonstration was linked to the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

• Similar Congress protests were held across several states.

• The Election Commission has maintained that internal differences and observations are part of normal deliberations and that SIR decisions were taken unanimously.

• The allegations raised by Congress remain part of an ongoing political and legal dispute.