Youth groups detained while marching to Jantar Mantar demanding CEC’s resignation and end to SIR exercise

Several youth organisations were stopped and many members detained as they tried to march from central Delhi to Jantar Mantar on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) launched the ‘Ungli Toh Uthegi – Hallabol March’ from its Raisina Road headquarters, but police and paramilitary forces halted the procession after a few metres and arrested several activists. The Revolutionary Workers' Party of India (RWPI) and the Disha Students' Organisation also set out from Connaught Place toward Jantar Mantar, only to be detained immediately. NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar said the raised finger in their march symbolised each voter’s power and pledged to continue the democratic struggle against what he called the politicisation of the Election Commission. He demanded that NSUI be allowed to protest at Jantar Mantar, arguing that peaceful dissent must have space in a democracy. Naureen of the Disha Students' Organisation warned that other venues such as Ramlila Maidan or outskirts locations would silence their cause. Ashish Kumar of the RWPI called for the abolition of the 2023 law that governs CEC appointments, a fresh election in states affected by SIR, and the complete removal of the SIR exercise. The detentions highlighted the tense clash between youth groups and authorities over the independence and accountability of India’s election body.

Context

Jantar Mantar has long been a focal point for public protests in Delhi, especially on issues related to democratic rights and government accountability.