Members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) gathered at their headquarters on Raisina Road in New Delhi on Monday to stage a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstrators burned an effigy of the mythological figure Ravan, which featured the face of the CEC, as part of their campaign demanding his immediate resignation from the constitutional post.
The protest, which took place during the festive season, included a street performance titled 'Vote Chori Ki Raasleela'. According to a formal statement released by the IYC, the performance was designed to publicly express their opposition to the functioning of the Election Commission, specifically citing alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The organisation has argued that these actions have compromised the integrity of the country's democratic processes.
Addressing those present at the rally, IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib declared that the protest movement would remain active until their demands are met. He explicitly called for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, further suggesting that the official should face legal action. Chib stated, “Gyanesh Kumar, who is finishing off the democracy and Constitution of the country, cannot save himself. We will continue to protest in different forms. This will continue until he goes behind bars or resigns.”
During his address, Chib emphasised that the Election Commission carries the heavy responsibility of ensuring the sanctity of every vote cast by Indian citizens. He argued that when significant questions regarding electoral transparency are raised, the poll panel is obligated to provide clear explanations to the public. He maintained that upholding the highest standards of impartiality remains the primary mandate of the Election Commission, noting that democracy is not solely defined by the act of holding elections, but by ensuring that every citizen's mandate is fully protected.
The IYC statement underscored that the burning of the effigy served as a symbolic representation of their anger and their ongoing demand for institutional accountability. The organisation has been vocal about its concerns regarding the electoral roll revision process, a sentiment that has also been echoed by several opposition parties in recent times. The Youth Congress has indicated that it views this protest as a necessary step to highlight their grievances on a national platform.
In addition to the physical demonstration in Delhi, the IYC has launched a digital initiative titled 'Digital Ravan Dahan'. This campaign invites citizens to participate by identifying what the organisation describes as the “10 heads of India's Ravan” via its official website. The digital campaign is scheduled to culminate in a virtual Ravan Dahan event, set for Tuesday at 7:30 pm.
Looking ahead, the Indian Youth Congress has confirmed that it intends to continue both its public demonstrations and digital campaigns. The organisation maintains that it will not cease its activities until its specific demands for greater electoral transparency and accountability within the Election Commission are addressed by the relevant authorities. As of Monday, the protest marks a significant intensification of the IYC’s stance against the current leadership of the national poll body.
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