The Congress intensified its confrontation with the Election Commission on Friday, organising nationwide demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Protest marches were held in Delhi, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Jammu and several other states. Demonstrators demanded Kumar's resignation and an independent examination of decisions taken during his tenure. Police detained protesters in several locations as demonstrations encountered security restrictions.

Delhi Protests: Congress Workers Attempt March Towards Election Commission

In the national capital, Congress workers attempted to march towards the Election Commission headquarters, encountering police barricades and a substantial security deployment.

Some protesters pushed through barricades, while police detained several participants to prevent them from proceeding towards the Commission's office.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav demanded Kumar's immediate resignation, alleging that the Election Commission's conduct had raised serious concerns about the country's electoral system.

Indian Youth Congress workers organised a separate demonstration, with some participants wearing masks depicting the Chief Election Commissioner and displaying chains around their hands.

Carrying placards and raising slogans, the protesters marched from their Raisina Road office as part of the nationwide campaign.

Gaurav Gogoi Detained In Assam; Water Cannons Used Against Protesters

The demonstrations extended beyond Delhi, with Congress leaders and workers participating in coordinated protests across several states.

In Assam, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi was detained along with other party workers during demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner.

In Patna, police deployed water cannons to prevent Congress protesters from reaching the Election Commission's office.

Similar demonstrations took place in Kolkata, Chandigarh, Jammu and other cities, with party workers demanding action against Kumar and greater transparency in the electoral-roll revision process.

Congress Demands Removal And Independent Review Of Electoral Decisions

The nationwide mobilisation followed instructions issued by the Congress leadership on Thursday.

Party general secretary K.C. Venugopal directed state units to organise marches to Election Commission offices on September 25.

The Congress has demanded Kumar's removal and arrest, alongside an independent review of electoral-roll changes and administrative decisions made during his tenure.

The party has also announced district-level demonstrations for September 28, when District Congress Committees are scheduled to organise marches towards their respective district collectorates.

Reported Objections Within Election Commission Trigger Political Controversy

The protests follow an investigation by The Indian Express reporting that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections on at least 14 occasions over approximately 10 months.

According to the report, the objections concerned electoral administration and decisions connected with the SIR exercise.

The reported issues included changes to Form 6, which is used for voter registration, procedures for adding and deleting names from electoral rolls, and centralised management of electoral databases.

The investigation also reported concerns about certain decisions and instructions allegedly being issued without the knowledge of both commissioners.

The disclosures prompted Opposition parties to question the Commission's internal decision-making procedures and demand accountability from its leadership.

Election Commission Rejects Allegations Of Institutional Breakdown

The Election Commission has disputed suggestions that the reported objections demonstrate a breakdown in its functioning.

Responding to the controversy, the Commission maintained that differences of opinion, written observations and technical recommendations are normal features of institutional deliberations.

It stated that commissioners and other officials are entitled to offer suggestions concerning electoral administration.

The Commission further maintained that its decisions were unanimous and that its orders followed the applicable legal and statutory procedures.

The BJP has also rejected the Opposition's interpretation, arguing that internal discussions and differing opinions are consistent with the functioning of a multi-member constitutional institution.

Rahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has intensified his criticism of the Chief Election Commissioner following publication of the reported internal objections.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Gandhi accused Kumar of undermining the electoral process and demanded his resignation.

The Congress has alleged that the SIR exercise and related electoral-roll changes could compromise voting rights. These allegations remain contested, with the Election Commission maintaining that its decisions comply with the law.

The party's demonstrations represent an escalation from parliamentary and public criticism to coordinated street protests across the country.

With further demonstrations scheduled at the district level, the controversy over the SIR exercise and the Election Commission's internal functioning remains the focus of the Congress campaign.