New Delhi, October 8, 2026: The INDIA bloc intensified its agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, with opposition parties planning a larger protest in Delhi and Congress announcing demonstrations across the country. The protests are centred on allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, charges that the Election Commission has denied.
Opposition Plans Bigger Protest
INDIA bloc MPs decided to step up their protest after several leaders were stopped from reaching Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.
Opposition parties said more MPs would participate in Thursday’s demonstration as pressure builds on the Election Commission.
Congress Announces Nationwide Protests
Congress has announced protests at state, district and block levels on October 8, saying its agitation will continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
The party has sought to turn the Delhi demonstrations into a wider nationwide campaign over electoral-roll revision and alleged voter exclusions.
Demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
Opposition leaders are demanding that Gyanesh Kumar step down as Chief Election Commissioner.
They have accused the Election Commission of mishandling the SIR process and questioned the fairness and transparency of recent changes to voter lists.
Rahul Gandhi Says Protest Will Continue
Rahul Gandhi has said the opposition will not stop its campaign until the CEC resigns.
During the protests, Gandhi said the FIRs being filed against him were like “medals,” signalling that he was prepared to continue the confrontation despite police action.
Heavy Security in Central Delhi
Security has been tightened around Jantar Mantar and other sensitive areas in central Delhi as opposition MPs mobilise.
Police have repeatedly stopped protest marches, citing restrictions on demonstrations and movement in parts of New Delhi.
Several Opposition Leaders Detained Earlier
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other opposition lawmakers were detained during earlier attempts to march towards protest sites and the Election Commission office.
Reuters reported that Gandhi and other lawmakers were detained multiple times over two days as the protests intensified.
Opposition Delegation May Meet President Murmu
INDIA bloc leaders have also discussed taking their concerns to President Droupadi Murmu.
A delegation of opposition leaders is expected to seek a meeting with the President to raise issues relating to the Election Commission and the SIR controversy.
Election Commission Rejects Allegations
The Election Commission has denied accusations of political bias and maintains that the revision exercise is aimed at cleaning electoral rolls by removing duplicate and ineligible entries.
The BJP has also rejected the opposition’s allegations that the process is designed to benefit the ruling party.
SIR Row Becomes Major Political Flashpoint
The dispute has now moved beyond parliamentary politics, with protests, detentions, court scrutiny and a nationwide campaign all converging around the Election Commission.
With the opposition promising to keep up the pressure, the SIR controversy is likely to remain one of the biggest political issues in the coming days.
Source – Reuters, The Indian Express, India Today
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