Indians took to the streets for a third consecutive day on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while police launched an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by officers during protests in New Delhi.
The protests began on Friday over a large-scale revision of voter rolls, which demonstrators claim has resulted in millions of names being removed from electoral lists. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, while Kumar has not publicly commented on the protests.
Protests spread to Mumbai and New Delhi
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Mumbai on Sunday, waving Indian flags and calling for Kumar to step down.
Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical online movement that began in May and later campaigned successfully for the removal of the then education minister, also joined the demonstrations.
“ Mumbai is out on the streets again for free and fair elections!” CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke said in a social media post.
He called for solidarity among protesters and urged Indians to come together, describing the demonstrations as a critical moment for the country.
In New Delhi, dozens of activists, including CJP supporters, gathered outside a police station to demand action over allegations involving officers during Saturday’s protests.
Police investigate sexual harassment allegations
The allegations emerged after police detained scores of protesters near Jantar Mantar, the government-designated protest site in the capital.
Delhi Police said three female journalists had made allegations of sexual harassment against police officers during the demonstrations.
“Allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers,” the force said in a statement, adding that it would conduct a fair and impartial investigation.
India’s ‘Cockroach’ Protest Movement Keeps Pressure on Modi Government
One of the alleged victims said in a video posted on social media that a police officer pushed her and touched her inappropriately.
CJP activist Saurav Das said a delegation accompanying the complainant was inside the police station. Dipke called for the accused officer to be arrested immediately.
Opposition steps up pressure on election commission
Opposition politicians have accused the ECI of acting in the interests of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), allegations the election commission has rejected.
Opposition groups have announced plans to march to the Election Commission’s offices in New Delhi on Tuesday, followed by nationwide “Save Democracy” rallies.
The CJP has also called for a large mobilisation of young Indians in New Delhi on October 10, signalling plans for further demonstrations over the voter-roll revisions and demands for electoral accountability.
