India protests continued in New Delhi on Sunday after authorities released three leaders of a youth movement whose supporters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of electoral manipulation.
The demonstrations followed a major police operation on Saturday, when thousands of protesters were detained and security forces restricted access to parts of the Indian capital to prevent further gatherings. Among those released was Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the youth movement known as the CJP.
At the centre of the protests is a nationwide revision of India’s electoral registers, a process that has triggered accusations from opposition parties that eligible voters are being removed in ways that could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Figures from the Election Commission cited in the dispute indicate that approximately 130 million names have been removed from voter lists during the verification exercise. These include around 63 million people recorded as having relocated and 30 million whom officials were unable to trace.
Opposition parties argue that the revisions could disproportionately affect Muslims and other minority communities, raising concerns about their ability to participate in elections. The Election Commission and the BJP reject allegations of political manipulation, saying the exercise is intended to remove duplicate entries, deceased voters and people who are no longer eligible to vote.
The controversy deepened after The Indian Express reported in September that two election commissioners had raised internal concerns about voter registration procedures, digital systems and changes to electoral rolls. The commission said differences of opinion were part of its internal deliberations.
Saturday’s demonstrations were held under tight security after police refused permission for a gathering at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest venue in central Delhi. Authorities deployed thousands of police officers and paramilitary personnel, erected barricades and restricted transport services. At least 45 metro stations were closed, while internet access was suspended in parts of the capital.
Reports on the scale of the detentions differed. Reuters reported that more than 2,000 people had been detained, while the BBC cited media reports putting the figure as high as 7,000. Most detainees were released on Saturday night.
Those detained included YouTuber and government critic Dhruv Rathee, who was released after midnight. Student leader Neha Bora was also detained after urging demonstrators to gather at Dilli Haat when police blocked access to Jantar Mantar.
Smaller groups returned to the streets on Sunday despite the continued security presence. The BBC reported witnessing police detain protesters near Connaught Place, where demonstrators chanted slogans calling for Kumar to resign.
India’s Supreme Court held a hearing on Sunday concerning the restrictions and detentions. The court directed authorities to restore internet access and transport services unless restrictions were necessary to maintain public order. According to Reuters, the government also assured judges that journalists and lawyers would be allowed to carry out their professional duties.
The response to the demonstrations has drawn international attention. The United Nations Human Rights Office urged India to respect the right to peaceful assembly and raised concerns about the mass detentions. India’s Ministry of External Affairs rejected the intervention, describing it as interference in the country’s domestic affairs.
The youth movement behind the protests, known as CJP, emerged in May after Dipke responded to remarks by India’s Chief Justice comparing unemployed young people to cockroaches. The movement subsequently organised demonstrations focused on education and unemployment, giving it a broader platform beyond the current dispute over electoral registration. It is not registered as a political party.
The latest demonstrations come as India approaches a new round of state elections scheduled to begin in early 2027. The dispute over voter registration has added to political tensions, with opposition parties questioning the fairness of the revision process and election authorities insisting that the changes are intended to protect the accuracy of electoral rolls.
