Barricades at the Election Commission: INDIA bloc MPs march, are detained, and demand the CEC quit

Around 300 opposition MPs marched from Parliament's Makar Dwar towards the Election Commission headquarters on Ashoka Road on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Carrying a large Save Democracy banner, the INDIA bloc lawmakers raised slogans against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, following a newspaper investigation that opposition parties say raised questions about large-scale changes to voter lists.

Heavy security was deployed around central Delhi. Barricades were erected, roads were closed and television footage showed personnel stationed outside the Commission's premises as protesters tried to reach the office.

Reports said opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, were briefly detained after being stopped at police barricades. Gandhi climbed onto a barricade and waved the national flag as slogans rose from the crowd.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Commission of acting in the government's interest and said the protest was to protect democratic institutions. The Commission has rejected charges of manipulation, saying the revision is meant to remove duplicate, deceased or ineligible entries.

The march is part of a wider campaign that includes district demonstrations and a planned rally in New Delhi. For the opposition, the question is no longer only about a list, but about whether citizens can trust that their names will still be on it when they go to vote.