New Delhi, October 5, 2026: Central Delhi has seen four days of protests against the Election Commission of India. Students, a youth-led political movement and opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police have detained hundreds of demonstrators near Jantar Mantar, and more marches are planned this week.

What the protesters want

The protests target the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a nationwide exercise to verify and clean up voter lists that the Election Commission began last year. Critics say the revision has removed millions of eligible voters from the rolls. Opposition parties in the INDIA bloc claim more than 13.30 crore names have been deleted. Protesters allege the changes favour the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Election Commission and the central government deny the allegations. The Commission says the revision is meant to confirm voter eligibility and clean up the electoral rolls.

The INDIA bloc's demands include the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, a reversal of the SIR and a return to paper ballots.

How the protests unfolded

The demonstrations began on Friday, October 2. Members of the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party, student groups and opposition supporters gathered for planned rallies in New Delhi and Mumbai. In Delhi, hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel surrounded the barricaded area around Jantar Mantar. Demonstrators were put into buses as they arrived.

Delhi Police had not given permission for the gathering. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed across the New Delhi district, barring unauthorised assemblies. Entry and exit were shut at around a dozen metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Janpath, Mandi House and New Delhi.

On Saturday, around 100 demonstrators pushed aside barricades and chanted "Gyanesh Kumar, step down" before police detained several of them. Protests continued on Sunday. Reports put the total number of people detained at more than 500.

Those taken into custody included Aam Aadmi Party leaders Atishi, Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj, activist Yogendra Yadav, AISA leader Neha Bora and members of several student organisations. Indian Youth Congress workers also marched towards Jantar Mantar.

Who is the Cockroach Janta Party?

The Cockroach Janta Party is a youth-led movement. It first drew attention through protests by young Indians angry about leaked exam papers and unemployment. Its focus has since widened to government accountability and the conduct of elections.

The group says it will take its campaign against the voter-roll changes to cities across India this month. It has called a major rally in New Delhi on Saturday, October 10.

Complaints by women journalists

Three women journalists covering the Jantar Mantar protests have filed complaints alleging sexual harassment by police personnel. One of them alleged that a senior officer groped her while she was filming the detention of a student leader.

The complaints have been sent to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for inquiry. No FIR had been registered as of Sunday. Journalists and protesters gathered outside the Parliament Street police station to demand one.

Amnesty International has criticised the crackdown. It accused the authorities of violating the right to peaceful assembly.

What comes next

  1. Tuesday, October 6: MPs from INDIA bloc parties plan to march to the Election Commission's office in New Delhi. The march is part of a "Save Democracy" campaign running from October 2 to 8, with district-level marches across the country.
  2. Second week of October: Opposition leaders are expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu to submit a representation.
  3. Saturday, October 10: The Cockroach Janta Party rally in New Delhi.

The INDIA bloc has also discussed moving a motion to remove the Chief Election Commissioner. Under the Constitution, a Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only through a process like the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge. That requires a special majority in both houses of Parliament.

Advisory for Delhi commuters

Commuters heading to Connaught Place, Janpath and the Central Secretariat area should expect barricades and possible metro station closures on protest days. Check Delhi Metro and Delhi Traffic Police updates before setting out.

ViralDose will update this story as the situation develops.


Sources:

  1. Al Jazeera: Mass protests demanding poll chief resignation shake India for third day
  2. Al Jazeera: Indian authorities clamp down as 'cockroach' movement launches new protests
  3. US News: Indian police detain several people in Gen Z-led protests against voter roll changes
  4. US News: Protests intensify in India over demands for election chief to quit
  5. The Wire: Police detain over 500 near Jantar Mantar
  6. Pragativadi: Over 500 detained, 12 metro stations closed
  7. ABC News: India investigates alleged sexual harassment by officers at 'Cockroach' protests
  8. The Quint: Sexual assault complaints filed against Delhi Police by women journalists
  9. Amnesty International: Crackdown on electoral roll protests
  10. The Week: INDIA bloc plans Save Democracy campaign, march to EC on Oct 6
  11. Sunday Guardian: Save Democracy March 2026 demands
  12. Latestly: Delhi latest news, October 5, 2026
  13. Deccan Herald: INDIA bloc to move impeachment motion against CEC