Protests held across country demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s ouster, hundreds detained
Opposition parties and activists held nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of electoral malpractice. Police detained hundreds of protesters in Delhi and other cities, drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders.
Why it matters
The protests signal significant political unrest and a deepening crisis of confidence in the electoral process between the opposition and the ruling government.
Opposition parties, civil society activists, youth and student organisations held protests across the country on Thursday (October 2, 2026) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
In Mumbai, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protests at Shivaji Park received support from actors and artists. In Delhi, over 500 people, including former Chief Minister Atisihi, were detained by the Delhi Police.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, condemned the police action against the protesters and said hundreds are in custody. “Their only crime is that they dared to question vote theft,” he said.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Abhijeet Dipke detained by Mumbai Police ahead of October 2 march, released later
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