Congress takes CEC Gyanesh Kumar protest nationwide, workers detained, water cannons used

Demonstrations were reported in Delhi, Patna, Kolkata, Jammu, Chandigarh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and other parts of the country.

The protests centre on the Election Commission's handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and allegations raised over decision-making within the poll panel.

Barricades broken in Delhi

In Delhi, Congress workers marched towards the Election Commission headquarters after gathering at the Indian Youth Congress office on Raisina Road.

Protesters broke through police barricades as security personnel attempted to stop the march, and several workers were detained.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav demanded Kumar's immediate resignation, saying the party would not remain silent over what it described as threats to democracy.

Earlier, Indian Youth Congress workers had staged a symbolic protest in the national capital wearing masks bearing Kumar's face and displaying chains around their hands. They raised slogans against the Election Commission and demanded the CEC's removal.

Water cannons in Patna, leaders detained in Assam

In Patna, police used water cannons to disperse Congress workers as they attempted to march towards the Election Commission office. Similar demonstrations were held in Chandigarh, where police also used water cannons.

In Assam, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and several party workers were detained during a protest in Guwahati. Demonstrations were also reported in Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur.

Congress targets CEC over SIR controversy

The nationwide mobilisation follows an investigation by The Indian Express, which reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period concerning decisions related to the electoral-roll revision.

According to the report, the objections involved changes to voter-registration Form 6, the addition and deletion of names from electoral rolls and centralised control of electoral-roll data.

The Election Commission has rejected suggestions that differing views within the three-member panel indicate a breakdown in its functioning.

The poll panel has said that differing opinions and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations and maintained that its orders have full legal sanction and follow established procedures.

Rahul Gandhi steps up attack

The protests come a day after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi demanded Kumar's resignation and accused the Election Commission of failing to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

The Congress has also called for accountability over the decisions taken during Kumar's tenure. Opposition parties have separately indicated plans to pursue parliamentary action seeking his removal.

The BJP, meanwhile, has defended the Election Commission's process, with party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi arguing that the SIR exercise is legally sound and that decisions of the poll panel are based on majority consensus.