Key facts
- 130 million people have been removed from India's electoral register.
- Protests against the electoral revision have occurred daily for the past week.
- Authorities deployed extensive security measures in Delhi, including train cancellations and internet shutdowns.
- Activists, opposition leaders, and journalists were detained during the crackdown.
- The Indian Express reported that two other election commissioners raised concerns about changes to electoral rolls.
- Former election commissioner Ashok Lavasa described the process as unprecedented and unfair.
Months of public anger in India have culminated in protests against a controversial electoral rolls revision that has led to 130 million people being removed from the register. The demonstrations, which have occurred daily over the past week, have been met with a significant crackdown by authorities, particularly in the capital, Delhi.
Over the weekend, Delhi was placed under a de facto lockdown with extensive security measures, including the cancellation of 245 trains, the closure of 45 metro stations, internet service disruptions, and the detention of activists, opposition leaders, and journalists. Founders of the Cockroach Janta party were removed from a flight, and opposition leaders were held for hours. Police also detained Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, in Mumbai.
The crackdown has drawn criticism from various figures. Political activist Yogendra Yadav described the preparation for protests as "extraordinary" and "terror unleashed by the state." Former election commissioner Ashok Lavasa stated that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is "unprecedented and unfair," departing from the Election Commission of India's (ECI) traditional emphasis on inclusion. Yadav argued that the controversy exposes a "deeper process of democratic capture by the ruling party."
The ruling Bharatiya Janata party, through spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, defended the government's actions, accusing the opposition of "weaponising protests" and asserting that "Indian democracy has thwarted attempts to incite anarchy."
The protests began with demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, following an Indian Express investigation that reported concerns raised by two other ECI commissioners regarding changes to electoral rolls and registration systems. The ECI stated that "differing views" are part of its decision-making process. A 2023 law granting election commissioners legal immunity for actions performed in their official capacity has also been cited as a point of concern.
On Monday, the Kerelam assembly passed a resolution seeking Kumar’s removal, and opposition parties marched toward the supreme court. Student groups have vowed to continue protesting, with left-wing student leader Danish Ali stating, "People have refused to be fearful any longer."