India Voter List Protests Reach Supreme Court as Opposition Demands Election Chief's Resignation

Thousands of opposition protesters marched to India's Supreme Court on Monday, challenging a controversial voter list revision that has intensified political tensions and sparked widespread demonstrations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Opposition parties and supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement have staged nearly daily protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Critics allege that the electoral changes disproportionately benefit Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The voter list revision, launched last year, has resulted in more than 130 million names being removed from electoral rolls. Officials attributed the deletions to approximately 28 million deceased voters, 63 million people who relocated, and 30 million individuals who could not be located.

Monday's demonstration covered roughly seven kilometers through central New Delhi before reaching the Supreme Court. Protesters carried opposition flags and demanded Kumar's removal amid heightened security.

The march remained peaceful despite a weekend police crackdown that resulted in thousands of detentions, including CJP leaders. Authorities also closed six metro stations for 11 hours and imposed traffic restrictions.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the opposition's petition on Tuesday. Signed by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and others, the filing demands an independent audit of voter deletions, stronger protections against removals without notification or hearings, and a temporary nationwide suspension of the revision.

India's Election Commission has rejected allegations of political bias, maintaining that eligible voters removed incorrectly can register again. The BJP similarly defended the electoral process, accusing opposition parties of undermining democratic institutions.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused Congress of encouraging unrest to regain political power.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police removed Jantar Mantar's designation as an official protest location and identified three alternative venues. CJP leaders separately demanded permission to organize another peaceful demonstration.

The controversy intensified after the Indian Express reported that two senior election officials had internally questioned aspects of voter registration procedures and digital systems.

Opposition groups also claim that Muslim voters and other minorities face disproportionate deletions, allegations denied by both the Election Commission and BJP.

The escalating protests represent a significant political challenge for Modi as opposition parties intensify scrutiny of India's electoral system.