Key facts
- Indian police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse opposition Congress party members protesting nationwide.
- Protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Opposition groups accuse Kumar of manipulating voter rolls.
- The 'cockroach' youth movement, with millions of supporters, threatened further protests if Kumar does not resign.
- The Election Commission stated that differences among officers are normal and all actions are lawful.
- The BJP dismissed the report as a smear campaign.
Indian police used tear gas and water cannons on Friday to disperse opposition Congress party members during nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters accuse Kumar, who was appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, of manipulating voter rolls. The "cockroach" youth movement, which claims millions of supporters and previously forced the education minister out in July, has threatened further protests if Kumar does not resign by Saturday. Opposition parties, including Congress, have accused the Election Commission of colluding with Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to manipulate voter lists, charges both the commission and the BJP deny. The demonstrations were reportedly triggered by a newspaper report indicating that Kumar's deputies had questioned him over changes to voter lists that opposition groups claim benefit the BJP. The Election Commission stated that internal differences are normal and all actions are lawful, while the BJP dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign.