India’s opposition asked the Supreme Court to intervene in disputed voter-list revisions on October 12, as thousands marched through New Delhi, Reuters reported. The petition brings a legal challenge alongside protests against election chief Gyanesh Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
According to Reuters, the revision began last year and removed more than 130 million names. Critics allege that it benefits Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. The Election Commission denies favouring any party and says people whose names were wrongly deleted can register again.
The petition, signed by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and others, seeks an audit of deletions, protection against removal without notice and a hearing, and a temporary nationwide suspension of the exercise, Reuters reported. The BJP accuses opponents of undermining legitimate electoral procedures.
Monday’s march proceeded peacefully under heavy security after police detained thousands during the weekend, according to Reuters. AP described barricades blocking routes to Jantar Mantar and reported that police had withdrawn its designation as a protest venue, identifying three replacement sites.
AP’s October 13 reporting described young demonstrators persisting despite police intervention. Its account followed economics student Kashish Rawat, 22, who remained on the streets on Saturday and said she intended to return. The dispute has drawn students and opposition supporters into the same protest campaign.
Reuters reported that the Supreme Court was expected to hear the petition on Tuesday, October 13; that expectation does not establish that a hearing or ruling has occurred. The immediate legal question raised by the petition is whether the revision should be paused while complaints about deletions are examined.
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