Indians Demand Election Chief’s Resignation as Police Probe Harassment Claims

Indians took to the streets for a third consecutive day on Sunday, demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, while police launched an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by officers during protests in New Delhi.

The protests began on Friday, with demonstrators accusing the Election Commission of wrongdoing during a large-scale revision of voter registers that reportedly resulted in millions of names being removed from the electoral rolls.

The Election Commission of India has rejected the allegations, while Kumar has not publicly commented on the matter.

Thousands of protesters marched through Mumbai on Sunday, waving Indian flags and calling for Kumar’s resignation.

Among those taking part were supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical political movement that began online in May and previously campaigned successfully for the removal of India’s then education minister.

In New Delhi, dozens of activists, including CJP supporters, gathered outside a police station to demand action over allegations made against police officers during Saturday’s protests.

Delhi Police said three female journalists had accused police officers of sexual harassment and pledged to conduct a fair and impartial investigation.

One of the complainants alleged in a social media video that a police officer pushed her and touched her inappropriately.

The allegations followed the detention of dozens of protesters near Jantar Mantar, a government-designated protest site in New Delhi.

Opposition politicians have accused the Election Commission of acting in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, a claim the commission has rejected.

The opposition has announced plans to march to the Election Commission’s headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday, followed by nationwide “Save Democracy” rallies.

The Cockroach Janta Party has also called for a major mobilisation of young Indians in New Delhi on October 10.

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