“NOBODY CAN SAVE GYANESH KUMAR”: ANTI-SIR MOVEMENT TAKES TO DELHI’S STREETS AS POLICE HALT MARCH TO ELECTION COMMISSION
October 23, 2026
A protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified in New Delhi on Friday, October 23, as demonstrators marched towards the Election Commission of India headquarters, demanding an end to the exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Several protesters were detained by Delhi Police after the march was stopped in central Delhi, prompting participants to stage a “People’s Parliament” as part of their campaign against alleged voter deletions.
The demonstration was organised by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR, a collective bringing together activists and organisations opposing the electoral-roll revision. Students, young people, farmers and representatives of various groups participated in the march, carrying the national flag and banners while raising slogans including “Gyanesh Kumar, resign”, “Halt SIR” and “Won’t tolerate vote theft”.
Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat joined the demonstration alongside members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association and the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation. Karat told reporters that the movement would continue until the Chief Election Commissioner resigned. CPI leader P. Sandosh also participated, warning that the protest would intensify and declaring, “Nobody can save Gyanesh Kumar.”
The march began near Gole Dak Khana, at the intersection of Kalibari Marg and Bhai Vir Singh Marg, and proceeded towards the Election Commission headquarters. When police personnel prevented the demonstrators from advancing, the protesters sat down and organised a “People’s Parliament”, an action announced by the organisers as an alternative to continuing the march.
One participant said the movement was not simply about reclaiming Jantar Mantar as a protest venue but about defending democracy and the country. Another protester argued that, following the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, public spaces across the country would become centres of democratic resistance.
Security was tightened across central Delhi, with Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel deployed in substantial numbers. Traffic diversions were introduced from 1 pm and were scheduled to remain in place until 5 pm, with congestion expected around Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Connaught Place, Parliament Street and Jantar Mantar. Traffic authorities advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel through affected stretches, plan their journeys in advance and follow police instructions.
The campaign against SIR extends beyond the national capital. According to the People Against SIR collective, demonstrations have been planned in 88 cities across 18 states, involving 145 organisations. The collective has announced programmes running through November 1 and appealed to farmers, workers, young people, women and other sections of society to participate in demonstrations carrying the national flag.
The Students’ Federation of India also announced solidarity protests in central Delhi and district headquarters. Organisers said the Delhi demonstration would remain peaceful and conclude with the adoption of resolutions followed by the national anthem.
The controversy centres on allegations by opposition parties and civil society organisations that the Special Intensive Revision exercise could result in the deletion of eligible voters from electoral rolls. Protesters have demanded that the process be halted, arguing that the integrity of electoral participation must be protected. These claims remain allegations raised by the movement, rather than findings established by the protest itself.
The demonstration has brought renewed attention to the relationship between electoral administration, public accountability and the right to peaceful protest. By taking their demands towards the Election Commission headquarters and continuing their gathering after police stopped the march, the protesters sought to make the alleged deletion of voters a national political issue.
With demonstrations planned across multiple states and organisations pledging to continue the campaign, the anti-SIR movement is seeking to sustain pressure on the Election Commission and the government. Its central demands remain an end to the revision exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while the debate over electoral-roll integrity and the protection of voting rights continues.
