Indian police use tear gas against protesters seeking election chief's ouster

Indian police utilized tear gas and water cannons on Friday to disperse demonstrators affiliated with the opposition Congress party who were staging nationwide protests to demand the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters, accusing Kumar of manipulating voter rolls, claimed to have millions of supporters and threatened to continue their demonstrations nationwide if Kumar did not resign by Saturday.

The protests, which gained momentum after a report by the Indian Express newspaper alleged that Kumar's deputies had questioned him over alterations to voter lists that allegedly benefited the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), mark a new political challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kumar, a 62-year-old former civil servant appointed by Modi's government, has not commented on the allegations.

In at least two locations, police employed water cannons after protesters scaled buses and barricades. Congress and other opposition parties have accused the election commission of collaborating with the BJP to manipulate voter rolls and secure victories in state elections, claims both the commission and the BJP have refuted. Local Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja stated in Chandigarh, "Theft of votes is happening across the country."

Newspaper reports indicated that Congress supporters in multiple Indian states chanted slogans against Kumar, displayed posters demanding his arrest, and in one instance, burned an effigy of him and Modi. In Delhi, demonstrators climbed barricades and hurled insults at an individual wearing a mask resembling Kumar. The protests were initiated by a report in the Indian Express newspaper on Wednesday, which alleged that Kumar's deputies had questioned him regarding changes to voter lists that opposition groups claim favor the BJP.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi commented on Thursday, "For three years, I have been exposing vote theft. Now, the election commissioners themselves are acknowledging it and bringing the truth to light. Gyanesh Kumar has committed treason. He should resign immediately." The Election Commission responded by stating that disagreements among officials are commonplace in any organization and that all its actions are lawful.

The BJP dismissed the report, alleging that opposition parties were orchestrating a smear campaign due to the BJP's success in elections. Upcoming state elections, particularly in populous Uttar Pradesh and Modi's home state of Gujarat, both governed by the BJP, are seen as crucial tests of support ahead of the parliamentary elections slated for 2029.