SIR Row: Youth Congress Marches to Jantar Mantar as Protests Intensify; Water Cannons Used in Bihar, Punjab

Youth Congress Marches to Jantar Mantar

The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Friday marched from Raisina Road towards Jantar Mantar in New Delhi as part of a nationwide protest against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raised concerns about electoral-roll management, transparency and voters' rights. The protest came amid an escalating political dispute between the Congress and the Election Commission.

The Jantar Mantar protest was part of demonstrations organised by Congress units in multiple states.

Water Cannons Used in Bihar

In Patna, Congress workers marched towards the Election Commission office demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

Police deployed water cannons to prevent the protesters from reaching the poll panel's office. According to PTI reporting, the march covered around half a kilometre and protesters raised slogans against the Chief Election Commissioner.

Bihar Congress leaders said the protest was linked to concerns over the SIR exercise and alleged exclusion of voters. These statements represent the Congress party's position and have not been established as findings by an independent authority.

Protests in Punjab and Chandigarh

Similar demonstrations took place in Chandigarh, where Punjab Congress workers protested against the SIR exercise and demanded action against the Chief Election Commissioner.

Police used water cannons during the demonstration. Reports said some protesters climbed onto police vehicles during the confrontation. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has demanded Kumar's removal and called for an investigation into the allegations raised by the party.

The Punjab Congress has also called for the SIR process to be stopped until the state Assembly elections and has sought safeguards against the deletion of eligible voters' names.

Protests Spread Across Several States

Congress workers staged demonstrations in several parts of the country on Friday.

Protests were reported in Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and other locations. In Guwahati, Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi and other party leaders were detained during a demonstration demanding action against the CEC.

In Delhi, police deployment was increased around the Election Commission's office ahead of the demonstrations.

What Triggered the Latest Protests?

The latest protests followed a report by The Indian Express stating that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period concerning certain decisions and procedures related to electoral rolls.

The reported concerns included voter registration, deletion and restoration of names, changes involving Form 6 and access to electoral-roll databases.

Opposition parties have cited the reported objections as grounds for seeking greater transparency in the functioning of the Election Commission.

Election Commission's Response

The Election Commission has rejected the characterisation of the reported internal observations as evidence of an institutional split.

The poll panel has said that differing views, operational queries and suggestions are a normal part of deliberations within a multi-member constitutional body. It has also maintained that its SIR-related decisions were taken unanimously and that its orders have legal and statutory backing.

The ECI has further stated that officers within the Commission are authorised to provide suggestions aimed at improving the electoral system.

Congress Expands Its Demands

The Indian Youth Congress has demanded the removal of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner and has called for an investigation into electoral-roll procedures.

The organisation has also launched an online campaign seeking public participation on issues relating to electoral transparency and accountability.

Opposition parties have separately discussed the possibility of moving a motion in Parliament seeking Kumar's removal, adding another institutional dimension to the ongoing dispute.

Wider Political and Legal Dispute

The SIR controversy has expanded beyond street protests, with political parties raising questions about electoral-roll revisions and the functioning of the Election Commission.

A petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court seeking action against the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged unilateral decisions concerning electoral-roll procedures. The allegations are matters for judicial consideration and have not been established by a final court ruling.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, continues to maintain that the SIR process is being conducted under the applicable legal framework.

Key Takeaways

• The Indian Youth Congress marched from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar on September 25.

• Protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

• Police used water cannons against Congress protesters in Patna, Bihar.

• Water cannons were also used during the protest in Chandigarh, Punjab.

• Demonstrations were reported in several other states, including Assam, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

• The protests followed reports of internal objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

• The Election Commission has said internal differences and suggestions are part of normal deliberations and that SIR decisions were unanimous.

• The dispute has also reached the courts, with a Supreme Court petition raising allegations concerning the conduct of the SIR process.