The political confrontation over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls intensified on Thursday after Delhi Police registered three more FIRs in connection with Wednesday’s Opposition protest, with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra named in the details of the cases.
The latest police action came after INDIA bloc MPs attempted to proceed towards Jantar Mantar to demonstrate against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police intervened when protesters were stopped, leading to a tense confrontation and detention of several Opposition leaders.
According to Delhi Police, the FIRs relate to allegations including assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing, manhandling and misbehaviour with police personnel. Police said more cases could be registered in connection with the incidents.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were among the leaders detained during the demonstration. The two Congress leaders had already been at the centre of protests against SIR, with Rahul Gandhi repeatedly demanding that Gyanesh Kumar step down.
The latest FIRs come only a day after Delhi Police registered a separate case involving Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other Opposition MPs over their alleged unauthorised entry into Akashvani Bhavan during Tuesday’s protest.
The Tuesday demonstration had begun with an Opposition march from Parliament towards the Election Commission. When the march was stopped, several leaders staged a sit-in near the Election Commission before moving into the Akashvani Bhavan premises. Police said the leaders did not have permission to enter the premises.
Rahul Gandhi has responded defiantly to the legal action. During Wednesday’s political mobilisation, he said FIRs would not deter him and described them as “medals” in his political fight.
The Congress has accused the government of attempting to suppress Opposition voices. Party leaders have maintained that their protests are aimed at defending voters’ rights and demanding accountability from the Election Commission.
The government and police, however, have focused on maintaining public order and preventing protesters from violating restrictions at demonstration sites.
The dispute has now extended beyond Delhi. In Bengaluru, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee are participating in a People’s Tribunal focused on complaints linked to SIR. Actor Prakash Raj is also participating in the programme, which is expected to hear testimony from people who claim their names were wrongly removed from voter lists.
The Bengaluru event shows that the SIR controversy is no longer confined to political parties. Civil society groups, activists and public personalities are also joining the discussion.
Opposition parties have said they will continue their agitation until their concerns are addressed. Congress has also announced further mobilisation, describing October 8 as a “Black Day” in response to the detention of its leaders.
The growing protests have therefore created a complicated political and legal situation. On one side, Opposition leaders are demanding scrutiny of electoral rolls and the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. On the other, police authorities are registering cases over alleged violations and confrontations during demonstrations.
The coming days are likely to determine whether the controversy leads to further political protests or opens the way for a wider institutional debate over electoral roll revision.
Journalist Details
- Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.
Latest entries
