'Won't let go of our right to vote': Anti-SIR protesters march to EC headquarters

NEW DELHI: A march against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls moved towards the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in central Delhi on Friday, with protesters raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the alleged deletion of voters.The demonstration was called by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR, a people's collective, and drew students, youth, farmers and activists carrying the national flag and banners of the group.The Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) and the Students' Federation of India (SFI) also extended their support, with activists from Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh joining the march.Amid slogans such as “Gyanesh Kumar, resign”, “Halt SIR” and “Won’t tolerate vote theft”, the protesters were joined by senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and members of the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) and the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO), among others.The march began near Gole Dak Khana, at the intersection of Kalibari Marg and Bhai Vir Singh Marg, and proceeded towards the ECI headquarters. When police stopped the protesters, they sat down and held a 'People's Parliament', as announced by the organisers.“The protest has begun! We won't let go our right to vote and the right to protest for it! Our's is a democratic country and we will ensure that spirit remains alive!” the All India Students' Association (AISA) said in a post on X.

“This is not about reclaiming Jantar Mantar; this is about saving democracy and the country,” a protester said, as cited by PTI.Another protester said that since Jantar Mantar had been denotified as a protest site, every street in the country would become a Jantar Mantar, pointing to several organisations announcing demonstrations across India.Protests planned across 88 citiesPeople Against SIR has launched a website providing information about demonstrations being held in different cities.

According to the collective, protests have been planned in 88 cities across 18 states, involving 145 organisations.The collective has listed demonstrations scheduled for Friday, with programmes extending until November 1 as part of its campaign against the SIR exercise. Organisers have appealed to farmers, workers, youth, women and people from different sections of society to participate while carrying the national flag.The organisers said the Delhi march would remain peaceful and conclude with the adoption of resolutions and the singing of the national anthem. The SFI has also called for solidarity protests in central Delhi and at district headquarters on Friday.

Security tightened, traffic diversions in placeSecurity was tightened in central Delhi, with Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel deployed in large numbers.Traffic diversions were enforced in parts of central Delhi from 1 pm and were scheduled to remain in place until 5 pm. Congestion was expected around Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Connaught Place, Parliament Street and Jantar Mantar.The Delhi Traffic Police advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel along the affected stretches, plan their journeys and follow instructions issued by traffic personnel.The protest comes amid concerns raised by opposition parties and various organisations over the SIR exercise and the alleged deletion of voters from electoral rolls.