Srinagar SIR Protest: Congress Workers Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
By: Sheikh mohammad isa
Congress workers staged a protest in Srinagar on Thursday against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding his resignation.
The demonstration was held outside the Congress headquarters in Srinagar, where party workers and leaders raised slogans against the Election Commission and the BJP. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The protest was part of a wider programme of demonstrations being held by opposition parties and the INDIA bloc over the SIR exercise and their concerns about electoral rolls.
Protesters demand CEC’s resignation
The protesters demanded the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. They alleged that the SIR process had raised serious questions about the electoral system and could affect eligible voters.
The allegations are part of an ongoing political dispute between opposition parties and the Election Commission. The poll body has rejected claims that its internal discussions over SIR indicate a division within the Commission and has maintained that decisions were taken through the proper institutional process.
Police stop march towards M.A. Road
After gathering outside the Congress office, protesters attempted to move towards M.A. Road.
Police and security personnel had placed barricades to prevent the demonstrators from moving further. The protesters were stopped near the barricades and were pushed back towards the party office as tensions rose.
A heavy security presence, including police and CRPF personnel, was deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
Slogans and protest banners
The protesters carried banners and raised slogans against the Election Commission and demanded action against the CEC.
They also described the day as a “Black Day”, linking the Srinagar demonstration to the detention of opposition leaders during protests in New Delhi.
Earlier protests in Srinagar over the same issue had also seen Congress workers burn an effigy of the CEC and demand his resignation.
Wider INDIA bloc protests
The Srinagar demonstration comes amid a wider campaign by opposition parties across India.
The INDIA bloc has been holding “Save Democracy” protests over concerns surrounding electoral-roll revisions and what opposition parties describe as “vote chori”.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Congress, National Conference and other opposition parties have announced and participated in various demonstrations as part of the wider campaign.
On October 7, INDIA bloc parties also held a joint “Save Democracy” march in Jammu, where protesters demanded the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Similar demonstrations have taken place in several other parts of the country, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Patna and other cities.
What is the SIR controversy?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an exercise aimed at checking and updating electoral rolls.
Opposition parties have raised concerns about the deletion of voters’ names and have demanded greater transparency in the process. They have alleged that eligible voters could be affected by the revision.
The Election Commission, however, has defended its procedures and rejected the opposition’s characterisation of the internal discussions surrounding SIR as evidence of a breakdown within the poll panel.
The dispute has now become a major political issue, with opposition parties continuing their protests and demanding accountability from the Election Commission.
Protest continues across Jammu and Kashmir
The Srinagar demonstration reflects the growing political debate in Jammu and Kashmir over the SIR exercise.
For the protesters, the main demands remain greater transparency in electoral-roll revisions and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission’s position remains that its decisions are taken according to established procedures and that the SIR process should be viewed within the legal and administrative framework governing electoral rolls.
The protests are expected to remain part of the wider opposition campaign in the coming days.
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