Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a meeting request from opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, stating that discussing sub judice matters would violate judicial ethics and the principle of Separation of Powers. He advised them to file a formal petition with the Supreme Court instead of seeking an administrative meeting. The opposition had sought to discuss issues including the Chief Election Commissioner, arrests, and public transport disruptions.
A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawan was reportedly stabbed during a protest in New Delhi. The Delhi Police have initiated legal action and are investigating the incident, with the injured jawan receiving medical attention.
Delhi police deployed over 35,000 personnel for the Cockroach Janta Party protest.
Protesters associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi, many of whom participated in a July demonstration, adapted their strategies for a recent protest on Saturday. They used digital artwork, prepared for potential police action like lathi charges, and advised newcomers on safety measures such as carrying multiple masks and goggles. The protest, called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list manipulation, faced heavy security deployment, barricades, and mass detentions, preventing a large-scale gathering at Jantar Mantar.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, addressing an INDIA bloc rally in New Delhi on Sunday, launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission and the BJP government, alleging "vote chori" in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He asserted that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would be removed and jailed for "treason," and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah would face legal action. Gandhi claimed 13.5 crore voters were removed from electoral rolls, making the 2024 elections "illegal." The BJP, in response, accused Gandhi of creating anarchy and having a "dual mentality" regarding democratic outcomes.
Delhi Police has registered multiple FIRs against individuals who allegedly violated prohibitory orders in Connaught Place during the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Lehra do Tiranga' protest. Despite warnings, a crowd gathered on Friday, leading to legal action. The protests, involving CJP supporters and student activists, demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant has rejected the INDIA bloc leaders' request for a meeting to submit a representation over alleged electoral irregularities, stating that they should approach the court by filing a petition as the matter is already sub judice.
The Railway Board cancelled certain Mail and Express trains arriving at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations on October 10 due to expected road traffic from a planned protest. The Cockroach Janata Party announced a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Delhi police requested the closure of 57 metro stations to prevent protesters from reaching the site.
Sources said the selection committee could meet either on March 13 or 14 depending on the convenience of the members and the appointments are likely to be made by March 15.
'In 2013-2014, Modi was asking for regime change. In fact, the words he used were, they should be pulled out and thrown away; ughadke phekna hai. That is part of democracy.'
The Delhi police detained more than 500 protesters, including Aam Aadmi Party leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Atishi and Sanjay Singh, as well as activists of some student outfits, during a protest against the CEC at Jantar Mantar on Friday.
The Congress party staged nationwide protests, demanding the immediate arrest and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party accused the Election Commission of an "unprecedented attack" on voter equality through an alleged 'Mark VIP' feature and called for an independent review of decisions made under Kumar, citing objections from other commissioners regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Easing Gyanesh Kumar out would create a hazardous political precedent because forcing out a top official, due to public pressure, projects an image of reactive, defensive governing. Furthermore, making a high-level official like the CEC to hand in his papers would validate Opposition claims that Constitutional referees have been compromised, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Delhi is under an unprecedented security clampdown with 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed, 45 metro stations shut, and mobile internet suspended in parts of the city, as authorities deny permission for a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Modi's greater weakness is his inability since July when he directed the exit of Dharmendra Pradhan, to come up with a political counter strategy. Security measures and executive orders as seen in recent days will only likely further weaken him and make him as lame duck a premier as many prior to him, Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh included, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
'An individual who is protesting and expressing dissent is a walking Jantar Mantar.' 'Every mind which is expressing dissent and questioning is a Jantar Mantar.'
An Agra court granted bail to six Congress workers accused of defacing CEC Gyanesh Kumar's residence during a protest. The court dropped the "attempt to murder" charge (Section 109(2) BNS) initially invoked by police, citing lack of evidence, and expressed displeasure over the police's handling of the case.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar 'deshdrohis' (traitors) for allegedly 'destroying' India's voting system and 'stealing elections'.
The Delhi Police informed CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who was detained for a protest, about his grandmother's death in Maharashtra and offered assistance for his journey home on humanitarian grounds. Dipke was detained along with other CJP leaders for an unpermitted protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Tension flared in the disputed Kotia border region as Andhra Pradesh police allegedly attempted to dismantle barricades erected by Odisha to prevent unauthorised entry and holding of panchayat elections. The incident led to a heated exchange between police forces, with Odisha deploying 16 platoons to maintain order. The decades-old dispute, involving 21 villages claimed by AP, is pending before the Supreme Court, and Odisha has filed a contempt petition against AP's move to hold rural polls.
Nearly 200 protesters, including prominent activists, were detained at Jantar Mantar during demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police registered cases under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for disobedience and obstruction, following prohibitory orders in the New Delhi district. The protests stem from alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions, prompting significant police deployment and ongoing legal actions.
Amid sweltering October heat in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray turns up the heat against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, hinting obliquely about Nuremberg-like trials once the wheels of electoral fortune change.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged people to join the opposition INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Dilli' march on November 1, aimed at saving democracy and protecting the Constitution. He assured participants not to fear police action. Other Congress leaders also highlighted alleged electoral irregularities and announced a "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Four members of the Hindu Raksha Dal were arrested in Delhi for allegedly assaulting students and women during a protest on October 10. The arrests came after a video of the incident went viral, prompting police to take suo motu cognisance despite no formal complaint. The incident occurred amidst broader protests and detentions.
Delhi Police launched a massive crackdown, detaining Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, and nearly 500 protesters who attempted to reach Jantar Mantar for a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Opposition, including AAP and Congress, denounced the situation as 'worse than the Emergency'.
The controversy surrounding actor Imran Khan's participation in a Mumbai protest, and BJP leader Kirit Somaiya's demand for his deportation, raises critical questions about the legal rights of Overseas Citizen of India cardholders to engage in political dissent and the grounds for their expulsion from India.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained by Delhi Police in Gurugram on Saturday, prior to a planned protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police had denied permission for the protest, leading to increased security and preventive detentions across the capital.
Opposition INDIA bloc leaders staged a sit-in at Rajghat, alleging a 'criminal conspiracy of vote chori' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding Kumar's resignation and seeking a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu.
The BJP criticised Rahul Gandhi's remarks comparing Prime Minister Modi to a "Mughal emperor" and calling the 2024 Lok Sabha elections "illegal" during the INDIA bloc's 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' rally. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra labelled the rally a "chaotic spectacle" and questioned Gandhi's claims, highlighting the democratic process that allows common people to rise to power.
Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of withholding details about the software and algorithm used for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Citing an RTI response, Gokhale highlighted the ECI's claim that the information relates to "commercial confidence, trade secrets and intellectual property matters," raising concerns about transparency in the electoral process.
CPI(M) leader John Brittas was allegedly manhandled and injured by Delhi Police personnel during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Rajya Sabha MP was taken to RML Hospital for examination. Brittas has written to the President, Rajya Sabha chairman, and CJI seeking an independent investigation into the alleged assault, claiming he was dragged, assaulted, and abandoned. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the incident, and other political leaders like M A Baby and Manoj Jha visited Brittas, criticising the police action and alleging brutality against protesters. The protest was organised to demand Kumar's resignation over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
When it pretends to be deaf, a situation can snowball into something it cannot contain. The government cannot dismiss public anger merely because protests are inconvenient or politically embarrassing, asserts Ramesh Menon.
The Cockroach Janta Party protest at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park in Mumbai drew several hundred Mumbaikars who demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Six US Democratic lawmakers, including Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar, have urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address alleged excessive force during student protests in India and concerns over voter purges during his upcoming visit. They also accused Indian diplomatic missions of surveillance of protesters in the US and called for investigations into human rights violations and potential arms sales implications.
The Supreme Court has asked the government to consider designating an alternative venue to Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests in the national capital, emphasising the need for a site with basic amenities. This suggestion arose during a hearing concerning proposed restrictions on metro stations and train cancellations due to a protest.
The Election Commission of India has introduced a mandatory declaration for new voters, requiring them to provide parental details from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. This move, aimed at streamlining voter mapping, has sparked controversy, with some Election Commissioners deeming it "illegal" and "unauthorised" due to potential negative impacts on young voters.
Unless the Congress stops seeing a CIA and RSS in everyone who disagrees with it, many well-meaning people will find it difficult to rub shoulders with Rahul Gandhi, notes M R Narayan Swamy.
A new political outfit, the 'Lal Hit Janata Party', has emerged in Delhi, staging a counter-protest against alleged abuse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attacks on police.
The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Committee (DSGMC) has filed a police complaint against AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, alleging disruptions at Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and the circulation of misleading videos. The complaint stems from an incident on Saturday where AAP-affiliated protesters entered the gurudwara premises during an anti-CEC protest, leading to chaos and alleged political activity within the sacred space. DSGMC claims this violated the sanctity of 'Guru Ghar' and hurt religious sentiments, further accusing AAP leaders of amplifying a distorted narrative.
Shuchita Patel, an Indian-American Democrat, is making a historic bid for Forsyth County Commissioner in Georgia, a region with a dark racial past. Running against a 16-year unopposed incumbent, Patel aims to bring change and stand up to what she calls a "bully" opponent, driven by a desire to create a better community for future generations amidst a deeply divided American political landscape.
