INDIA Bloc Set To Launch Concerted Month-Long Nationwide Agitation on Gandhi Jayanti

 NEW DELHI: Upping the ante against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged “vote chori” in the country, the INDIA bloc is all set to launch a concerted month-long nationwide agitation on Gandhi Jayanti. The Opposition’s agitation in Delhi and other states on Friday coincides with the protest call given by various social activist groups and student bodies, including the Cockroach Janata Party and the AISA.

The INDIA block, comprising about 20 parties, will hold “save democracy” marches across all districts in the country. Amidst the Opposition’s month-long agitation, the Congress has called a meeting of all AICC in-charges and PCC chiefs in Delhi on October 5 to discuss the strategy for the agitation programme over the Election Commission (EC) row. Besides, a group of social activists and student leaders, including AISA president Neha Bora, advocate Prashant Bhushan and RJD MP Manoj Jha, on their part, have decided to press ahead with their protest at Jantar Mantar, despite not getting clearance from the Delhi police.

The AAP will also protest at Jantar Mantar. Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia issued a call on X urging people to join the gathering. “Come to Jantar Mantar on October 2 to demand Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Otherwise, the right to vote is being snatched away today; tomorrow all other rights will also be taken away,” he posted.

The CJP, which led the mega protest over examination paper leaks at Jantar Mantar in June-July leading to the ouster of Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan has also announced a major protest in Mumbai. The planned agitations come in the backdrop of the controversial special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls allegedly being scripted by Mr Kumar without the concurrence of two other Election Commissioners.

All eyes are on Jantar Mantar. Despite the Delhi police’s denial of permission for the protests, a large number of people are expected to turn up for the agitation against the alleged vote chori.

In the wake of clashes reported earlier during the CJP protests against paper leaks, a heavy security cordon has been put in the New Delhi district and the adjoining areas to deal with any eventuality. Barricades have been put in place and additional personnel positioned at entry and exit points and other sensitive locations to regulate movement and prevent unauthorised gathering.

The AISA president, who had been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar during the CJP-led paper leak agitation, said the organisers had informed the Parliament Street police about the proposed gathering, including details of the expected turnout, timing and those responsible for holding the protest. Ms Bora also alleged that protesters had earlier faced restrictions and detention while attempting to raise concerns over electoral issues.

Seeking the resignation of Mr Kumar, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke warned of launching protests across the country, followed by a stir at Jantar Mantar in Delhi from October end if the demand is not met. In an interaction at the Mumbai Press Club, he said the CJP will hold a protest at Shivaji Park in Dadar on Friday to press for the CEC’s resignation.

“The CEC must resign and a criminal case should be registered against him… Protests will be held in Goa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand,” Mr Dipke said. He also demanded that the appointment to the post of CEC should be made in a transparent manner and that there should be involvement of civil society. He called for freezing of the 2025 voter list, saying it should not be “tampered with further”.

The Opposition INDIA bloc will also be holding “save democracy” marches in all districts from Friday till October 8. Demonstrations will be held before the district magistrate’s office, where youth and NGOs have also been invited. They have also announced a march by the parliamentarians to the Election Commission’s office in Delhi on October 6. The Opposition leaders will also seek appointment from the President of India to make a representation in the second week of October against “the vote-chori government”.