Opposition parties in India marched to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a petition to the chief justice, alleging systemic irregularities in a nationwide revision of voter lists. The demonstration followed a weekend of intense police crackdowns in New Delhi, during which thousands of activists were detained.
The protests, which have gained momentum since election authorities began the revision process last year, center on the removal of more than 130 million voters from the rolls. Participants, including members of the youth-led “Cockroach” movement, are calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Critics of the process argue that it is politically motivated and poses a significant risk of disenfranchising eligible citizens.
In response to the allegations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission have denied any manipulation. Officials maintain that the voter list revisions are a necessary administrative measure intended to purge duplicate and ineligible names from the records.
Ahead of the march, authorities implemented security measures, including the closure of six metro stations in the capital and warnings regarding potential traffic disruptions. Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party, who is positioning the protests as a broader challenge to the current administration, addressed reporters in New Delhi, stating, “We will not back down.” Gandhi described the ongoing demonstrations as a fundamental fight to defend the constitution.
While Modi has not made a public statement regarding the protests, members of his party have dismissed the activists, with some labeling them as “anarchists.” Furthermore, New Delhi police announced on Monday that Jantar Mantar, a traditional site for mass protests, will no longer serve as a designated venue for rallies, with authorities designating three alternative locations instead. The “Cockroach” movement had previously utilized Jantar Mantar for a weeks-long sit-in earlier this year, which ultimately forced the resignation of the education minister in July.
