Protests demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continued across New Delhi for a second consecutive day on Saturday, with hundreds detained despite Supreme Court intervention against unlawful arrests, as opposition leader Rahul Gandhi announced another major mobilization on Sunday.
The fresh demonstrations followed on Saturday’s sweeping police crackdown, when nearly 7,000 people, including four former chief ministers, were detained while attempting to join a protest organised by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
According to Reuters, police detained hundreds of protesters on Saturday as students and activists staged demonstrations at several locations across the capital, defying heavy security and restrictions around Jantar Mantar.
India on Sunday reported that around 200 people were detained on Saturday, including members of the Students’ Federation of India, All India Students’ Association and Krantikari Yuva Sangathan.
Among those detained were Communist Party of India (Marxist) lawmaker John Brittas and student leader Neha Bora.
The Indian Express reported that police intercepted groups of demonstrators chanting slogans against the Election Commission and forced several into waiting buses.
Some protesters alleged they were manhandled, while others claimed they had been detained despite not participating in demonstrations. Reuters said it could not independently verify allegations of police assaults.
Supreme Court intervenes
In a significant development, India’s Supreme Court held a special sitting on Saturday and directed authorities to prevent unlawful detentions of peaceful protesters.
The court also instructed the government to ensure that Delhi Metro services operated normally and internet facilities remained uninterrupted, subject to lawful public-order restrictions.
According to India on Sunday, the court issued notice to the central government on a petition alleging violations of earlier judicial directions concerning transport restrictions.
All Metro stations remained open on Saturday, although roads approaching sensitive areas continued to be barricaded.
CJP leaders released
Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and senior leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released on Saturday after being produced before an executive magistrate.
Reuters reported that the three were released on an undertaking to maintain public peace.
Delhi Police said a Rs50,000 surety bond had been furnished, requiring them to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year.
The leaders had been detained on Saturday after their aircraft landed in Delhi.
Following their release, CJP representatives announced that demonstrations would continue and expand nationwide.
At a press conference, Das accused authorities of suppressing peaceful dissent, while Ranka reiterated the movement’s demand for Kumar’s resignation.
Delhi Police, meanwhile, said 20 cases had been registered over on Saturday’s demonstrations, including allegations of assaulting officers and obstructing public servants.
Opposition announces march
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced on Saturday that leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc would march to the Supreme Court on Sunday to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice Surya Kant.
According to India Today, the opposition will demand an end to alleged electoral manipulation, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls and Kumar’s resignation.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said opposition leaders had sought a meeting with the chief justice.
Saturday’s crackdown saw former chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar detained, according to The Indian Express.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, lawyer Prashant Bhushan and activist Yogendra Yadav were also among those detained.
The controversy centres on the Election Commission’s revision of electoral rolls, which opposition parties allege has excluded large numbers of legitimate voters and disproportionately benefited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Election Commission has maintained that the revision is intended to improve the accuracy of voter lists.
With fresh demonstrations planned and judicial scrutiny intensifying, the confrontation over India’s electoral system appears set to continue into the new week.