SIR row: AISA returns to Jantar Mantar, demands CEC’s resignation

AISA activists returned to Jantar Mantar on Saturday, a day after around 1,000 protesters were detained during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The fresh mobilisation sought Kumar’s resignation and raised concerns over the SIR of electoral rolls

New Delhi: A day after around 1,000 protesters, including political leaders and student activists, were detained during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, AISA activists began gathering near Jantar Mantar on Saturday amid heavy police barricading and heightened security in the area.

The fresh mobilisation came after AISA national president Neha Bora, who was among those detained on Friday, called on activists to return to Jantar Mantar at 1 pm and continue their protest demanding Kumar’s resignation and raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Police began detaining people as they gathered near the protest site, with security personnel deployed at multiple points and barricades placed on roads leading towards Jantar Mantar.

The development came a day after Delhi Police detained around 1,000 protesters from Jantar Mantar and nearby areas during demonstrations involving AISA, SFI, NSUI, AAP and other political and student groups.

AISA’s Neha Bora, AAP leaders and activist Yogendra Yadav were among those detained.

 

On Friday evening, Bora said in a video message that the protest would continue and urged activists to return to Jantar Mantar. She said the detentions would not intimidate protesters and called for continued mobilisation in support of the demand for Kumar’s resignation.

The protesters are opposing the SIR exercise and alleging irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Delhi Police had denied permission for Friday’s gathering and imposed heightened security measures in central Delhi. Several roads were barricaded and entry and exit at a number of Metro stations in the vicinity of Jantar Mantar were temporarily restricted during Friday’s protest.

The second day’s mobilisation saw continued police deployment around Jantar Mantar as AISA and other groups pressed ahead with their protest.

The demonstration comes days after The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected on record at least 14 times over the previous 10 months to decisions and orders on the SIR that they said were issued without their knowledge or recommendation.

Under fire over the red flags raised by the two commissioners over the SIR process, the Election Commission has asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution and that all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.