The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has called for a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Oct. 10 to challenge the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The protest follows accusations that the SIR may have omitted eligible voters, a claim the Election Commission and the government deny. 34-year-old Meera Sharma, a Delhi resident, said she feared her name might be omitted after the revision.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, posted on X on Saturday that the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Narendra Modi government would “go”. He added that “Then the repair of democracy will begin”. Gandhi’s remarks come a day before the protest.
CJP organizers say the protest will also involve student groups and that the event will feature a march and a sit‑in. The organizers have called the protest “a defense of democratic rights” and expect thousands to attend. Rahul Gandhi will not be part of the protest but is scheduled to attend the “Chhatron ki Goonj” event in Chennai on the same day.
Election Commission said the SIR process was carried out in accordance with legal guidelines and that no irregularities were found. The government reiterated that the roll revision is part of routine electoral maintenance. Analysts say the controversy could trigger legal challenges in the Delhi High Court.
Protest is slated for 10 October, and the Election Commission is expected to issue a statement defending the SIR process in the coming days.