Bengaluru Form 7 Row: FIR Filed Over Voter Deletion Bid, Congress Targets BJP

Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has stressed that the right to vote forms the foundation of free and fair elections, stating that voter names cannot be deleted without notice, except in the case of deceased individuals. Reacting to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision row during an address at NALSAR University of Law, Justice Bhuyan noted that the Constitution of India does not create two classes of citizens and that detaching voting rights from citizenship is like taking the soul from the body. He observed that wholesale disenfranchisement rendering millions of citizens without voting rights is intrinsically arbitrary and violative of Articles 14 and 326. While the judge is not presiding over the Special Intensive Revision petitions before the apex court, his remarks come as Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faces judicial scrutiny. Several petitions before the Supreme Court seek the suspension of the Chief Election Commissioner, the quashing of unilateral decisions, a judicial probe into the revision process, and a forensic audit of election commission software systems.

Indian Youth Congress workers staged a candle march on Raisina Road in New Delhi, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Heavy barricading along with personnel from the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces were deployed by the administration to prevent the protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. Speaking during the agitation, Delhi Youth Congress President Akshay Lakra described the protest as an effort against the murder of democracy, alleging that the Election Commission of India has been compromised. Lakra demanded that the Special Intensive Revision process be reviewed and that internal objections raised within the Commission be made public. He also questioned why the Chief Election Commissioner has not addressed the media to clarify questions emerging from recent reports. Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party defended the poll body, dismissing opposition allegations as political frustration. The broadcast noted that other opposition groups, including the Aam Aadmi Party and Left parties, have also organised demonstrations against the Election Commission across the capital.

Around 15 Delhi Police personnel, including female officers, sustained injuries during protests held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The demonstration saw participation from student groups including AISA and NSUI, representatives from Left parties, and the Aam Aadmi Party protesting against the Chief Election Commissioner. Delhi Police stated that medical examinations are underway for all injured personnel who suffered minor injuries to heads and hands, with allegations of physical attacks by demonstrators. Around 110 people were detained across New Delhi and subsequently released. Police confirmed legal action will follow medical reports, adding to previous FIRs registered during ongoing demonstrations.

As Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav distances himself from smaller political parties in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress party is stepping in to build smaller coalitions. Leaders from several smaller parties, including Swami Prasad Maurya, Sanjay Chauhan, and Bhagidari Morcha founder Pankaj Niranjan, have held meetings with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The outreach comes as Congress demands an equal share of seats in its alliance with the Samajwadi Party. Reports indicate that these smaller regional outfits, which previously allied with the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, are engaging with Congress to strengthen their bargaining position.