Youth organisations attempt march to Jantar Mantar seeking CEC’s resignation; several detained

Multiple youth organisations, including the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), attempted to march to Jantar Mantar on Sunday (October 18, 2026) to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

The NSUI organised the ‘Ungli Toh Uthegi – Hallabol March’ from its headquarters on Raisina Road towards Jantar Mantar. The police and paramilitary forces stopped them after a few metres, and many were detained.

Anti-CEC protest LIVE updates on October 18, 2026

The organisation raised concerns over the Election Commission’s functioning, demanded accountability from the CEC and said democratic institutions must remain independent, impartial and accountable to the people of the country.

“We will continue our democratic struggle against the politicisation of the Election Commission. The raised finger symbolises the power of every voter and the democratic right of citizens to question those entrusted with safeguarding elections,” said its national president, Vinod Jakhar. He also demanded that the NSUI be allowed to hold protests at Jantar Mantar, saying that peaceful democratic dissent must have space in a democracy.

The Revolutionary Workers’ Party of India (RWPI) and the Disha Students’ Organisation also attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar from Connaught Place, but were immediately detained. “The question of reclaiming Jantar Mantar has become the key link of the entire anti-SIR movement. The other three venues are ineffective to our cause. Ramlila Maidan is a paid venue and is free for only three days a year. The other two are on the outskirts of the city where our demands will fall on deaf ears,” said Naureen from the Disha Students’ Organisation.

“We want the scrapping of SIR, re-elections in SIR-affected states and abolition of the 2023 law governing the appointment of CEC,” said Ashish Kumar from the RWPI.