Left parties protest at Jantar Mantar for second day:Oppose SIR, demand CEC’s resignation; CJP to also hold demonstration on 10 October

Activists from All India Students’ Association (AISA) and other organisations began gathering again near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday. Police erected barricades to stop them, and a heavy police presence was deployed in the area. The protesters are demonstrating against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR of the voter list and are demanding his resignation. More than 1,000 people were detained during the protests on Friday. AISA national president Neha Bora had appealed to the activists on Friday, after being detained, to return to Jantar Mantar at 1 p.m. on Saturday. 3 photos of the protest at Jantar Mantar on Friday Neha Bora had announced that the protest would continue Neha Bora issued a video message on Friday evening, saying that the protest would continue and urging activists to return to Jantar Mantar. Bora said that the protesters would not be intimidated by being detained. She appealed to them to continue gathering in support of the demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The protesters are opposing the SIR process. They allege that irregularities took place during the revision of the electoral roll. AISA, SFI, NSUI, AAP and other political and student organisations took part in Friday’s protest. AAP leader and activist Yogendra Yadav was among those detained. Questions raised over Election Commission regarding SIR The demonstration is taking place a few days after a report stated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had, on at least 14 occasions over the past 10 months, raised objections on record to decisions and orders related to SIR. According to the report, both officials had said that these decisions and orders were issued without their knowledge or recommendations. Questions are being raised about the Election Commission following the objections raised by the two Election Commissioners over the SIR process. The Commission has said that differing views and comments during discussions are normal in any institution. The EC said that all its orders have a full legal basis. According to the Commission, these orders were issued in accordance with the prescribed legal procedures. Rahul alleges vote theft Rahul Gandhi held a 55-minute press conference on Thursday to address the controversies surrounding the Election Commission, SIR, and voter lists. He said that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh had committed vote theft. He is a traitor. “I opposed his appointment, but the government ignored my advice,” he said.