All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora and other protesters were reportedly detained by Delhi Police on Friday, September 25, during demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
In a parallel development, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi was detained by Assam Police during a protest in Guwahati demanding Kumar’s removal. The demonstrations were part of a wider nationwide campaign led by the Congress and other opposition groups over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and concerns surrounding the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) functioning.
The protests followed allegations by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding electoral wrongdoing and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The Election Commission has maintained that decisions relating to the SIR exercise were unanimous, while the Congress has demanded Kumar’s resignation, removal and an independent review of decisions taken under his leadership.
Protests Spread Across States
The demonstrations on September 25 followed a directive issued by the Congress to its state units to organise protest marches towards their respective election offices, demanding the immediate removal and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In Delhi, AISA president Neha Bora and other protesters were reportedly detained during a demonstration against Kumar.
The student organisation’s participation brought student activists into the wider opposition campaign over the functioning of the Election Commission and concerns regarding electoral transparency. In Assam, Gogoi was detained by police during a demonstration in Guwahati.
According to news agency ANI, Gogoi called for Kumar’s resignation and legal action against him, alleging that the issue concerned citizens’ voting rights. He also criticised the BJP leadership over the controversy. Meanwhile, Congress-led demonstrations were reported in several states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Manipur and West Bengal. In Manipur, police reportedly used tear gas during a demonstration after tensions escalated. The protests reflected the growing political confrontation over the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the demand for accountability.
SIR Controversy At The Centre
The protests have been fuelled by concerns over the Special Intensive Revision, an exercise undertaken by the Election Commission to revise electoral rolls. The controversy intensified after a report by The Indian Express stated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections at least 14 times over a period of 10 months regarding decisions and orders connected with the poll panel, including aspects of the SIR process.
The report triggered renewed questions from opposition parties about the transparency and decision-making processes within the constitutional body. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi subsequently intensified his criticism of the Election Commission, alleging electoral wrongdoing and calling for accountability. The Congress has demanded an independent review of decisions and changes to electoral rolls made under Kumar’s leadership. It has also sought his removal and legal action against him.
However, the Election Commission has rejected the interpretation that the reported objections indicate institutional dissent, maintaining that differences in views, administrative feedback and operational discussions are part of the functioning of a multi-member constitutional body. The poll panel has said that final decisions concerning the SIR were unanimous. The BJP has also rejected the opposition’s allegations, questioning the basis of the report and asserting that the Commission’s decisions were taken collectively.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The right to vote is a cornerstone of democracy, and public trust in electoral institutions depends on transparency, accountability and the confidence that every eligible citizen can participate in the electoral process without fear or exclusion. Concerns over electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission deserve to be addressed through credible investigations, clear communication and appropriate institutional mechanisms. At the same time, peaceful protests are an important democratic means of expressing dissent, and the handling of demonstrations must respect citizens’ fundamental rights while maintaining public order.
Detentions alone cannot resolve the questions being raised about electoral transparency, just as allegations must be examined through evidence rather than treated as established facts. A constructive response requires open dialogue between political parties, the Election Commission and citizens, with a focus on protecting the integrity of the electoral process. How can India strengthen public trust in its electoral institutions while ensuring that citizens’ right to peaceful protest is respected?
🚨 APCC PRESIDENT GAURAV GOGOI DETAINED
— Assam Congress (@INCAssam) September 25, 2026
APCC President Shri @GauravGogoiAsm ji has been detained while protesting and demanding accountability from CEC Gyanesh Kumar over his role in “vote chori”, along with his removal from office and an independent review of electoral-roll… pic.twitter.com/Wq40DUukrw
