Patna, October 13: The All India Students' Association (AISA) and other student organisations staged a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Bihar, on Tuesday. The demonstration was linked to alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, an issue that has triggered political debate and protests in different parts of the country.
According to a video shared by the Press Trust of India (PTI), protesters gathered at Gandhi Maidan before beginning a march. As the procession moved forward, several demonstrators were seen running towards police barricades. The footage captured tense moments as the protesters advanced towards the barricaded area, although the full circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately clear.
The protest comes amid growing opposition to the SIR exercise, which has drawn criticism from several political groups and civil society organisations. Critics have raised concerns about the process of revising electoral rolls and its potential impact on eligible voters. Questions surrounding transparency, verification procedures and the possibility of eligible voters being excluded have remained central to the debate.
The Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, has also faced criticism from groups opposing the revision exercise. Protesters in Patna directed their demonstration against the poll chief, highlighting their dissatisfaction with the handling of the electoral roll revision process.
AISA, along with other student organisations, joined the demonstration to raise its concerns over the issue. The participation of student groups has added another dimension to the wider protests surrounding the SIR process, with demonstrators seeking attention for their demands and concerns regarding electoral rights.
The incident in Patna comes as protests linked to the SIR controversy continue to draw attention beyond political circles. Demonstrations and public statements by various organisations have brought the revision of electoral rolls into the spotlight, making it a significant subject of discussion ahead of upcoming electoral exercises.
However, details regarding the total number of protesters, any injuries, arrests or police action following the demonstration were not immediately available in the footage shared by PTI. Further information would be required to establish whether the march led to any confrontation beyond the scenes captured on camera.
The protest at Gandhi Maidan reflects the continuing disagreement over the SIR exercise and the demands being raised by groups questioning its implementation. The Election Commission's response to the specific allegations raised by the demonstrators was not immediately available in the information provided.
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