India

Thousands Protest in New Delhi Over Election Commission Controversy

By Yashraj Sharma

Central parts of New Delhi have been flooded with thousands of armed personnel in recent days as young protesters chase the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and seek a place to stage a sit‑in in the capital. Since last week, student organisations and a broad spectrum of opposition parties have been engaged in a tactical tug‑of‑war, with tens of thousands turning up on Monday, far outnumbering police. Protesters demand sweeping reforms and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar after revelations of election irregularities. The agitation marks the latest challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s grip on power, following the removal of his education minister by the same group of demonstrators less than three months ago. The Modi government has portrayed protesters as representing anti‑national interests, claiming they slow India’s growth or threaten its unity. India, the world’s most populous country, has a long history of street protests, from its freedom struggle against the British Empire to movements during the 79 years of the Indian republic that have shaped its modern identity. “Time and again the government of the day has opposed these protests, at times engaged with them critically,” said Rasheed Kidwai, a political analyst in New Delhi and former journalist, to Al Jazeera. “But protests have run centrally through India’s story all along.”