Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has written to the party's central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry seeking the publication of electoral rolls for the upcoming election to the post of All India Congress Committee president, sources said.
Several prominent INDIA bloc leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee, were detained by Delhi Police on Saturday while attempting to protest at Jantar Mantar. They were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, with leaders condemning the detentions as an attack on democracy.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he has 'undermined' voter rights by excluding over 13 crore names from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union territories during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The Bombay High Court's Goa bench has ruled that draft electoral rolls cannot be the sole basis for deleting names from voter lists, asserting that administrative software cannot supersede statutory laws. The court questioned the Election Commission of India's authority to delete voters without a hearing, highlighting concerns over the ERONET system's limitations and its potential to disenfranchise citizens.
The INDIA bloc is set to convene on September 30 in New Delhi to formulate a unified strategy regarding the Election Commission, focusing on the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The meeting will also address coordinated protests and the CEC selection process, bringing together diverse opposition parties.
BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi emphasized the importance of fair elections, transparent bureaucracy, and constitutional adherence for a functioning democracy. His comments come amidst opposition protests led by the INDIA bloc, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revisions and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation.
Delhi Police have registered three FIRs and detained nearly 1,000 individuals, including prominent political leaders and activists, following protests at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests, which violated prohibitory orders, were in response to allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) next week that seeks the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and challenges the alleged unilateral decision-making within the Election Commission without the approval of two other Election Commissioners.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with approximately 250 others including 50 MPs, were detained by Delhi Police after an eight-hour sit-in protest at Akashvani Bhawan. They were attempting to march to the Election Commission's office to protest alleged "vote chori" and irregularities in electoral rolls.
Opposition leaders from CPI-M and AAP faced detention in Delhi and Chandigarh while protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over serious allegations of voter-list manipulation and suppression of democratic rights.
Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc, including prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, marched to the Supreme Court to file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging 'vote chori' and irregularities in electoral rolls.
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.
American singer Mary Millben has ignited a political debate by calling on 'young patriots' in India to protest the Cockroach Janata Party..
The Cockroach Janta Party has pledged to continue its protests, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and the rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
'Why are we deliberately taking apart an electoral system that has worked?' 'There is no answer to that, and there is no data and has never been any on the absurd slander that foreigners are voting here,' asserts Aakar Patel.
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.
Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi repeatedly recorded that they had not been consulted or informed about decisions taken in the Commission's name, revealed an Indian Express report on Wednesday morning.
The Congress party has launched nationwide protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his removal. Accusing him of acting in favour of the BJP and citing alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions (SIR), party workers burned effigies and clashed with police. Opposition parties plan further action, including a meeting of the INDIA bloc to strategize for his ouster.
The Special Intensive Revision of Maharashtra's electoral rolls has identified over 76 lakh voters classified as permanently shifted across the state. Mumbai Suburban, Thane, and Pune districts reported the highest numbers, highlighting significant discrepancies in voter lists and the ongoing challenge of maintaining accurate electoral data.
The INDIA bloc is escalating its protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, planning further actions and seeking an urgent meeting with President Droupadi Murmu.
Three leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained by Delhi Police upon landing in the national capital from Mumbai, preventing their planned protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Jantar Mantar in New Delhi was heavily fortified with multi-layered barricades and thousands of security personnel on Saturday in anticipation of a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The protest targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list tampering and bypassing colleagues to alter voter registration forms.
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 Congress party has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging "vote chori" and treason, following a media report revealing that two other Election Commissioners had formally objected to decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have accused the BJP, RSS, and EC of undermining democracy, citing concerns over voter list tampering and lack of transparency.
The Haryana Congress has strongly criticised the BJP government's two-year tenure in the state, alleging widespread misgovernance, unfulfilled election promises, a surge in crime, and rampant corruption. Senior Congress leaders, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja, highlighted issues faced by farmers, traders, and youth, demanding accountability and a white paper on the government's performance.
The Election Commission has extended the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi, Punjab, Telangana, and Karnataka, along with Haryana and Andhra Pradesh. This revision involves house-to-house visits by Booth Level Officers and changes to draft and final roll publication dates, impacting the voter registration process across multiple states.
Glimpses of the INDIA bloc's protest march from Parliament House to Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters, in New Delhi on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
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.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is continuing its protests against alleged electoral roll irregularities, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Despite detentions and police restrictions on Saturday, the CJP announced another demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. The party condemned the detention of its leaders and other protesters, alleging an "undeclared Emergency" and questioning the whereabouts of its founder and co-convenors. Opposition parties and civil society groups have expressed solidarity, vowing to continue the campaign for electoral transparency.
A group of 124 former IAS, IFS, IPS, and allied services officers have issued an open letter defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. They argue that the electoral system cannot be deemed rigged only when a party loses, citing instances where the ruling BJP lost elections under the same EC. The officers highlight the legitimacy and necessity of the SIR for cleaning voter rolls and underscore the robust safeguards within India's electoral system.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of acting as a 'weapon' for the ruling BJP, while MNS leader Raj Thackeray demanded the cancellation of Maharashtra's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, amidst a large protest march in Mumbai.
'I was just thinking about me, because my rights have been affected. That's it.' 'I am an ordinary citizen of this country, and I am expecting my rights (as a voter) to be restored.'
Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has unequivocally stated that any process disenfranchising Indian citizens is arbitrary and violates the Constitution.
Opposition parties are planning a third attempt to move a motion for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This renewed effort follows an Indian Express report highlighting objections from two other Election Commissioners regarding decisions made without their knowledge, particularly concerning voter registration and electoral roll management.
52 lakh voters were deleted and 48 lakh were added in Uttar Pradesh's electoral rolls.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have strongly criticised the Centre's security measures in New Delhi, including metro and train cancellations, ahead of their planned protest at Jantar Mantar. They accuse the government of imposing an "emergency" and being afraid of Gen Z, while demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities. The Supreme Court has intervened, directing authorities to ensure regulated movement.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh has accused the Congress and its allies of attempting to instigate a 'Bangladesh-like regime change' in India, leveraging youth energy for political confrontation and anarchy, rather than constructive nation-building.
'If you ask Prime Minister Modi prove you are Indian, as per the Election Commission's criteria, he may not be able to prove that he is an Indian.'
'We want maximum voting and a healthy system. People from the whole world appreciate our system'
'The final electoral roll will be published on October 7, 2026.' 'If someone who is otherwise eligible does not find his/her name in that electoral roll, they can fill Form 6 along with other necessary documents to enrol his/her name in the electoral roll after the final publication of the electoral roll also.'
