Protests organized by the All India Students' Association (AISA) and other groups at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi faced a heavy police presence. Protesters, including Neha Bora, the president of AISA, demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and emphasized the need to defend democracy.
Heavy Police Presence and Arrests
The police severely surrounded the protest site, prohibiting people from entering the area and allowing protesters to approach within about 100 meters. Reports indicate the arrest of several protesters, including Neha Bora. Bora had previously stated that the aim of the protest is to demand Kumar's resignation, and this movement signifies a defense of democracy in India.
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Criticism of the Voter List Review Process
Kumar has faced severe criticism for implementing the "Special Voter List Review" (SIR). The Election Commission has stated that the goal of this action is to remove deceased, transferred, and duplicate voters, as well as to prevent the entry of "illegal foreign immigrants." Critics believe that this process results in the removal of eligible voters and acts in favor of the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While protests continue in New Delhi, another incident related to the arrest of two foreigners in India has also come to light. Matthew Van Dyke, an American mercenary, and a Ukrainian citizen were released from Tihar Jail in Delhi on Thursday and allowed to travel back to their countries. They had been arrested on charges of participating in a training camp related to drone weaponry associated with ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.
Other Disturbing Incidents in Bihar
In Bihar, another disturbing incident involving the harassment of a teenage girl in public places has been reported. A video of the incident has been shared on social media, showing several young men attacking the girl. Authorities have announced that a case has been filed against six unidentified youths, and efforts to identify them are underway.
These incidents occur as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new feature called "VIP Mark" in the application used for local officials during the voter list review. This feature allows officials to mark prominent figures such as ministers and judges as VIPs, raising concerns about discrimination in the voting process.
Given the current situation and protests against the Election Commission, the future of elections in India and the role of the opposition in this process are severely questioned. Abhijit Deepak, the founder of the Janata Kranti Party, has urged opposition parties to refrain from participating in the "fraudulent" elections and has threatened that protests will be held nationwide on October 2.
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