Left parties, students groups, on Friday, once again led a protest march against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The march began in central Delhi, with participants heading towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters to protest against the alleged deletion of voters. However, since the imposition of BNSS Section 163 (earlier Section 144 of the CrPC) – which prohibits gathering of four or more people – the protesters were stopped from heading towards the poll body office. Some of them were also detained when they tried to resist the police and continue protest march towards the poll body headquarters.
The march, called by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR — a people’s collective — started near Gole Dak Khana, at the intersection of Kalibari Marg and Bhai Vir Singh Marg.
Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) had also extended their support to the protest, with activists from Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh participating as well.
CJP’s Dipke, AISA Chief Neha Bora Were Invited
Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke and AISA chief Neha Bora were also invited. However, it is not yet confirmed whether they joined the protest or not.
Meanwhile, security was tightened near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, with Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel deployed in large numbers ahead of the march.
The organisers have appealed to farmers, workers, youth, women and people from different sections of society to join the march carrying the national flag.
They said the march would remain peaceful and disciplined, with participants holding a ‘People’s Parliament’ wherever police stop them, followed by the adoption of resolutions and the national anthem.
SFI had also called for solidarity protests in central Delhi and district headquarters on Friday as well.
Traffic Diversions In Delhi
Traffic diversions were enforced in parts of central Delhi in view of the march. The Delhi Traffic Police said the diversions would remain in effect from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Commuters may face congestion and delays around Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, Connaught Place, Parliament Street and Jantar Mantar.
The traffic police have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel in the affected areas, plan their journeys in advance and use alternative routes wherever possible.
They have also been asked to follow instructions issued by traffic personnel and allow extra time to reach their destinations.
With inputs from PTI
