SIR Showdown Widens: Delhi Protests, Thackerays Unite, INDIA Bloc Plans Jammu ‘Save Democracy’ Rally

Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified across several cities on Sunday, with opposition parties, student groups and civil society organisations stepping up demands for his removal.

In Delhi, the protests entered a third consecutive day as AISA and the Indian Youth Congress announced separate marches from India Gate to Jantar Mantar. Police said permission had not been granted for the proposed marches and deployed around 5,000 personnel, including Rapid Action Force and paramilitary personnel. Barricades, CCTV cameras and drones were also deployed in the area amid expectations of a large turnout.

The mobilisation followed the detention of around 150 protesters on Saturday, including AISA national president Neha Bora, activist Yogendra Yadav and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, after demonstrators attempted to reach Jantar Mantar. Earlier, more than 700 people were detained on Friday, although figures have varied across reports.

The police action has triggered a fresh controversy after three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel while covering Saturday's protest. Delhi Police said the complaints had been received and transferred them to the Crime Branch for investigation. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have questioned the alleged treatment of women protesters and journalists, while Shashi Tharoor also criticised the reported police action.

Three FIRs have been registered over the earlier protests, with the cases including alleged disobedience of orders, obstruction of public servants and use of criminal force. The Indian Youth Congress has also approached the Delhi High Court challenging the denial of permission for its demonstration.

The issue has meanwhile spread beyond Delhi. In Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray appeared together at a joint march against the Election Commission and SIR, marking a significant public show of unity between the estranged cousins. Congress and NCP (SP) leaders also backed the mobilisation. The protesters demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and called for SIR to be scrapped in Maharashtra.

The INDIA bloc has also announced a 'Save Democracy' rally in Jammu on October 7, with district-level programmes planned between October 4 and 8. The parties are demanding the CEC's removal while raising allegations of irregularities in the electoral roll revision.