Delhi’s Anti-SIR Battle Continues as CJP, AISA Take Fight From Streets to Courts

The campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continues to gather momentum, with student activists, opposition leaders and civil society groups challenging police restrictions and demanding greater accountability from the Election Commission.

On October 23, protesters associated with the People Against SIR campaign attempted to march towards the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi, demanding Kumar’s resignation and a halt to SIR. The demonstration brought together Left leaders, student organisations, farmers’ groups and civil society representatives. Police detained more than 100 protesters, with some reports putting the number above 150.

The latest protest followed the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march on October 16, which was blocked by Delhi Police. Activists, including CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and AISA president Neha Bora, were detained and subsequently released following legal proceedings.

Bora later challenged police proceedings requiring her to furnish a personal bond and surety to maintain peace. The Delhi High Court dismissed her plea on October 23, adding to the legal battles surrounding the anti-SIR movement.

CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have also continued legal proceedings linked to the Jantar Mantar protest case. Despite the detentions and restrictions, the organisation has maintained that its campaign against Kumar will continue.

Meanwhile, a Supreme Court-appointed committee investigating violence during the July Jantar Mantar protests has opened a portal to receive complaints, witness statements and supporting evidence. The inquiry covers allegations of pellet-gun use, excessive force, harassment of women protesters and property damage.

The committee’s hearings on October 29 and 30 are expected to provide an opportunity for affected protesters to present their accounts.

The political campaign is also set to widen, with the INDIA bloc planning a rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1 against SIR. The coming days could prove significant for the investigation into alleged police excesses and the continuing debate over electoral-roll revisions.