All India Youth Federation members staged a protest, who attempted to lay siege to the Salem Railway Junction, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from his post over SIR, on Saturday. | Photo Credit: LAKSHMI NARAYANAN E.
Members of the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) and All India Students Federation (AISF) attempted to lay siege to the Salem Railway Station on Saturday (October 10, 2026) demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The protesters raised slogans against the Election Commission of India, alleging that the SIR exercise had deprived eligible voters of their right to vote. They demanded accountability for the alleged irregularities in the preparation and revision of electoral rolls. The protest led to police intervention, with personnel removing over 40 members who attempted to lay siege to the railway station. The demonstration was part of the students’ opposition to the SIR exercise and its demand for the removal of the CEC.
The protesters alleged that the exercise undermined voters’ democratic rights and called for steps to safeguard the right to vote. The police intervened to prevent the protesters from proceeding with their attempt to lay siege to the railway station. They were removed in police vehicles and lodged at a marriage hall.
Published - October 10, 2026 07:21 pm IST