NSUI Workers Detained During Delhi March Seeking CEC’s Resignation

Delhi Police on Sunday stopped a march by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the Congress’s student wing, towards Jantar Mantar and detained several protesters who were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Siasat and The Daily Jagran reported. The “Ungli Toh Uthegi – Hallabol March” was led by NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar.

Demands Over the Voter Roll Revision

The protesters said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls undermines free and fair elections, and called for fresh elections in states where the revision was carried out, according to reports. Jakhar said the students would go to Jantar Mantar if the CEC did not resign, and demanded permission to protest at the site, which was de-notified as a protest venue earlier this month.

Members of other groups, including the Disha Students’ Organisation and RWPI, were also detained as they tried to join the march, reports said. Police have not publicly said how many people were held.

Part of a Wider Wave of Protests

The march adds to weeks of protests in Delhi over the SIR, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student groups. The CJP has said it will “restrategise” its protests while its leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka await release, The Week reported.

Voters Removed Can Apply Again

For voters worried about their names, the Delhi High Court has said that people deleted during the SIR can apply for re-inclusion using Form 6. Voters can check their status on the Election Commission’s portal or with their booth level officer.

More protests are expected in the coming days. Read IPB’s reports on the High Court’s Form 6 ruling and the CJP leaders’ release.

Based on reporting by Siasat, The Daily Jagran, NewsBytes and The Week.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.