New Delhi steps up security ahead of voter list protest
Authorities in New Delhi increased security measures on Friday before a planned election demonstration. Transport restrictions aim to limit crowds protesting large-scale changes to national voter lists. Protesters plan to gather at the Jantar Mantar protest venue on Saturday.
Demonstrators demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They accuse the election body of manipulating voter records through the revision process.
The nationwide review, known as the Special Intensive Revision, removed over 130 million names. Millions of voters have submitted appeals regarding deleted entries across Indian states.
Critics state the appeal process creates hurdles for people lacking older government records. Many affected citizens struggle to obtain the required documents to restore their registration.
Opposition parties say the removals disproportionately affect their supporters and minority groups. They claim supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi remain on the lists.
The Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party reject all allegations. Officials maintain the revision removes duplicate and ineligible entries without political bias. The government denied any wrongdoing.
Local media reported that at least 23,000 police personnel deployed across the capital. Police said the security measures will maintain law and order across the city.
Indian Railways canceled several trains serving two New Delhi stations for Saturday. The Delhi Metro also announced the complete closure of 57 stations.
The transit cuts affect student demonstrators who rely on trains and metro lines. India’s Supreme Court directed authorities to reconsider transit restrictions and maintain public services.
Student groups accused police of detaining activists traveling to New Delhi on Friday. Officers also visited local mosques to urge religious leaders to discourage rally attendance.
Police briefly detained opposition leader Rahul Gandhi twice during protests this week. The Cockroach movement originated as an online youth campaign in May.
The group held sit-ins and hunger strikes over exam leaks in July. Those demonstrations forced the national education minister to resign.
Movement leader Abhijeet Dipke spoke on Friday. He said the protests will proceed.
“This intimidation is not going to work, Modi,” Dipke said in a post on X. “The youth of this country are no longer scared of you.”
The Election Commission oversees the maintenance of electoral registries throughout parliamentary constituencies. Electoral revisions occur periodically to verify residency and voting eligibility for adult citizens. Citizens whose names are removed can file administrative appeals with local election officials.
Opposition parties and student organizers plan to continue their nationwide voting rights campaign. Activists expect thousands of participants to gather in New Delhi for the demonstration.
