Opposition leaders detained during protest over election commission changes

Police detained several opposition lawmakers in New Delhi on Tuesday as they tried to push through barricades during a protest march demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was among those taken into custody and was released shortly after.

The demonstration targets a nationwide voter list overhaul that critics say threatens millions of eligible citizens. India launched the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar last year ahead of state elections. The process has since spread to most states and federally administered territories. Election Commission data shows the cleanup could cut voter rolls by as much as 30 percent in some areas. Opponents argue that confusing documentation requirements will push qualified voters off the registers.

The commission maintains the changes simply remove duplicate, deceased, or ineligible names to protect electoral integrity. Officials were also instructed on Friday to enroll eligible citizens who were accidentally left out.

“The election commission is a puppet in the ‌hands of the government,” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters at the start of the march. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra pushed back, claiming opposition figures are trying to destabilize the state. “After failing multiple times, Congress leaders have decided to establish anarchy in ⁠the country and attack institutions,” Patra said.

The march followed near-daily protests that began last week. Student groups, opposition parties, and India’s “Cockroach” youth movement have kept up the pressure. Lawmakers covered roughly 1km (0.6 miles) from parliament to the polling body’s headquarters while waving national flags and chanting against Kumar.