Left Parties and Civil Groups Protest Election Commission in Central Delhi

NEW DELHI — Left parties, student organisations, and civil society groups staged demonstrations in Central Delhi on October 23, opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The protest march, backed by outfits including the DYFI, CPI(M), SFI, and Samyukt Kisan Morcha, advanced toward the Election Commission of India headquarters after demonstrators were prevented from assembling at Jantar Mantar. Participants staged a sit-in approximately 150 metres away from the headquarters, calling the demonstration a collective fight to defend constitutional voting rights.

Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and social activist Anjali Bharadwaj joined the demonstrators at the site. According to Delhi Police, authorities imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the area and issued announcements directing protesters to clear the streets amid the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site.

In other developments across the country, 718 students are currently enrolled in smart classrooms receiving free quality education, hostel accommodation, and meals under the Uttar Pradesh government’s Atal Awasya Vidyalaya scheme in Moradabad, according to principal T.P. Singh and administrative officer Umesh Kumar Tripathi.

In Punjab political developments, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal hinted at a potential rapprochement with the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the state assembly elections, while branding the Congress party and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party as primary enemies of Punjab. Union Home Minister Amit Shah separately asserted that an NDA government will be formed in the state.

Meanwhile, Kerala Police invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against an accused named Eben Paul in connection with an arson attack outside a synagogue. Central intelligence officials and the National Investigation Agency are stepping in to probe a potential wider terror conspiracy as that investigation extends to Pune.