Protests Intensify for Election Chief Gyanesh Kumars Resignation in Mumbai

Mumbai, October 19 (Daily Kiran) : Demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are gaining momentum in Mumbai. Samya Korde, president of the Progressive Students Union, has raised concerns regarding police actions aimed at suppressing peaceful protests. She alleges that the government is using law enforcement to stifle dissent.

Korde noted that fear of police action is deterring some individuals from participating in a planned demonstration on Carter Road. She highlighted the recent detentions of activists Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka, which she claims are part of a broader trend of government repression.

According to Korde, protests across the country are calling for accountability from Kumar. She criticized the government’s reliance on police to quell these movements, referencing arrests in Delhi, including that of Abhijit Deepke. Korde emphasized that the Mumbai police are mirroring the same aggressive tactics seen in the capital, denying protest permits and even visiting the homes of potential demonstrators.

She expressed frustration over the police’s heavy-handed approach, stating that officers have visited her residence three times since July. Korde described the police presence as excessive, often arriving with large numbers of personnel and vehicles, while maintaining a watchful eye on her home during protest hours.

Korde questioned the legitimacy of such actions, asserting that citizens have the right to express their views peacefully. She argued that these circumstances raise serious concerns about the state of democracy and citizens’ rights in the country.

As security measures tighten around the proposed protest, Korde noted that participation has grown, with many citizens defying police barriers to join the demonstration. Despite the risk of detention and legal repercussions, hundreds gathered at the protest site, with some being released late into the night.

She also mentioned that participants included individuals whose names were allegedly removed from voter lists under the SIR process, indicating that people are willing to voice their concerns despite fear. Korde urged that the impact of such movements should not be measured solely by attendance numbers, citing the challenges faced at Azad Maidan, where police allow protests in areas less accessible to the public.

Korde accused authorities of attempting to dilute the movement by dispersing protesters across various locations. She reiterated that tensions arise during police interventions and called for the government to respect the right to peaceful assembly. Until Kumar resigns, Korde and her supporters vow to continue their protests, demanding that law enforcement facilitates rather than hinders their right to demonstrate peacefully.