Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien invoked Mahatma Gandhi's principles on Friday, October 2, 2026, as nationwide protests against the Election Commission of India (EC) commenced. The Rajya Sabha MP leveraged Gandhi Jayanti to underscore the importance of public dissent, sharing the Mahatma's critical views on institutions that lose public trust.
Through a post on X, O'Brien quoted Gandhi: 'A public institution means an institution conducted with the approval, and from the funds, of the public. When such an institution ceases to have public support, it forfeits its right to exist.' This came as protest calls intensified across the country regarding the poll panel's functioning.
In Delhi, activists and student leaders had planned a gathering at Jantar Mantar, demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. However, Delhi Police withheld permission for the proposed event. Similarly, in Mumbai, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by Abhijeet Dipke, announced a protest at Shivaji Park, seeking Kumar's resignation. After authorities denied permission, the CJP declared a 'Jail Bharo Andolan'.
These demonstrations unfold amidst a deepening controversy surrounding alleged irregularities within the EC. Opposition parties have raised concerns about the poll panel's management of electoral roll revisions and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Last month, an investigation by The Indian Express revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected at least 14 times over the past ten months. They cited decisions and orders on the SIR issued without their knowledge or recommendation, labelling specific changes to voter enrolment forms as 'unauthorised' and 'illegal'.
The Election Commission, meanwhile, has refuted any suggestions of internal division within its three-member panel, asserting that all decisions related to the SIR were taken unanimously. Concurrently, the INDIA bloc has launched a week-long 'Save Democracy' campaign, running from October 2 to 8, featuring protests nationwide. Opposition Members of Parliament are scheduled to march to the Election Commission's office in Delhi on October 6 as part of this broader campaign against the poll panel's operations and the SIR exercise.
Image: siasat.com
đź“° Source: Siasat Gulf