Won't tolerate vote theft: Protesters stopped near EC office, several detained

Delhi Police detained several protesters on Friday after stopping a march against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls towards the Election Commission of India headquarters in central Delhi. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which restricts gatherings, was imposed in the area.After the march was halted, protesters from various groups and regions convened a ‘People’s Parliament’. The demonstration was part of a wider campaign featuring protests in 88 cities across 18 states until November 1. Security was stepped up, and traffic diversions were put in place across central Delhi.The march was organised by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR, a people’s collective. It began near Gole Dak Khana, at the junction of Kalibari Marg and Bhai Vir Singh Marg. Participants carried the national flag and banners calling for the electoral roll revision exercise to be stopped.Protesters raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, including “Gyanesh Kumar, resign”, “Halt SIR” and “Won’t tolerate vote theft." They alleged that the Special Intensive Revision exercise had resulted in numerous voters being removed from the electoral rolls. Students, young people and farmers took part in the protest. Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association and the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation were also among the participants.The Krantikari Yuva Sangathan and the Students’ Federation of India extended support to the march. Activists from Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh participated in the demonstration.Security was increased across central Delhi, with Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel deployed in large numbers. After being stopped by the police, the protesters sat on the road and convened the ‘People’s Parliament’ announced by the organisers.“This is not about reclaiming Jantar Mantar; this is about saving democracy and the country,” one protester told PTI.Another protester said that since Jantar Mantar had been denotified as a protest venue, every street in the country would become a Jantar Mantar, reported PTI.People Against SIR has launched a website carrying details of protests in different cities. According to the collective, 145 organisations are involved in demonstrations planned across 88 cities in 18 states, with programmes scheduled from Friday to November 1.The organisers appealed to farmers, workers, young people, women and members of different sections of society to join the demonstrations while carrying the national flag. They said the Delhi protest would end with the adoption of resolutions and the singing of the national anthem.Traffic diversions were enforced in parts of central Delhi between 1 pm and 5 pm because of the march. Congestion was expected around Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Connaught Place, Parliament Street and Jantar Mantar.The Delhi Traffic Police advised commuters to avoid unnecessary journeys through the affected areas, plan their travel and follow directions issued by traffic personnel.The march and the detentions came amid concerns raised by Opposition parties and various organisations over the Special Intensive Revision exercise and allegations that voters had been deleted from the electoral rolls. Protest programmes were planned across several states as organisers sought wider participation in the campaign.- EndsInputs from PTI