Thousands of opposition demonstrators marched to the Supreme Court in New Delhi on October 12, 2023, protesting against changes to the voter lists that have triggered unrest in the capital. The petition filed by opposition parties seeks to challenge the voter list revisions, which critics argue favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The protests, organized by various opposition groups and supporters of a youth movement known as the “Cockroach Janta Party,” began earlier this month. Demonstrators have called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, claiming the revisions have removed over 130 million names from the voter lists, disproportionately affecting minorities.
Along the protest route of approximately 7 kilometers (4 miles), participants waved party flags and shouted slogans demanding Kumar’s resignation. The march was conducted peacefully despite tight security measures, which included the closure of six metro stations for 11 hours and traffic restrictions in key areas of central Delhi.
Court Hearing Expected on Tuesday
The Supreme Court is set to hear the opposition’s petition on Tuesday, which demands an audit of the voter deletions, protections against unannounced removals, and an interim suspension of the revisions nationwide. The Election Commission has refuted allegations of bias, asserting that voters removed from the rolls can re-enroll, while the BJP has accused opposition parties of trying to undermine democracy.
Notably, the protests included a diverse representation, from opposition party members to left-wing student groups. Anirudh Siyag, a PhD student at the protest, stated, “The fundamental values of this country are being assaulted, institutions are losing their independence.” His sentiments reflect the broader anxiety within the opposition regarding the integrity of electoral processes under the current government.
The call for action follows an internal report by Kumar’s deputies that raised concerns about the processes affecting voter registration and list management. Opponents of the revisions argue that minorities, including Muslims who are less likely to support the BJP, are most adversely affected, a claim both the Election Commission and BJP officials deny.
In response to the rising protests, the Delhi Police have moved designated protest sites, with Jantar Mantar no longer serving this role, instead directing protesters to three other locations. CJP leaders have met with police, insisting on a timeframe for future protests and threatening to mobilize again if a response is not provided within 24 hours.
