Indian Opposition Plans Supreme Court March Amid Election Chief Resignation Demand

Indian opposition parties are planning a march to the Supreme Court in New Delhi to demand the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition alleges that voter rolls are being manipulated under Kumar's leadership to favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a charge both the Election Commission and the BJP deny.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has called for unity among opposition parties, civil society groups, and all those who believe in democracy to join the march. The opposition lawmakers intend to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice Surya Kant. However, the Chief Justice has reportedly declined the meeting, citing "certain reasons" and noting that some of the issues raised are already pending before the court.

This planned demonstration follows a turbulent weekend in the capital. Authorities implemented extensive security measures, including traffic restrictions and the closure of several metro stations, to prevent protests. Thousands of demonstrators, including members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) pressure group, were detained by security forces over the weekend. CJP leaders, who were detained from a plane upon landing in Delhi, were released a day later and indicated that protests would continue, with plans to seek a new protest date from the police.

Visuals from the weekend protests showed police detaining individuals, including women, and forcing them onto buses. Reports and footage indicated instances of police using force against protesters. Reporters Without Borders condemned the detention of at least 16 Indian journalists covering the events, stating that covering public interest is not a crime and the actions against the press are unacceptable.

Rahul Gandhi stated that young Indians who had come to protest peacefully were beaten. In response, BJP President Nitin Nabin accused opposition parties and the CJP of attempting to destabilize India, alleging foreign backing without providing specific details. The CJP, which is not a registered political party, has vowed to continue its campaign until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar steps down.