Published Oct 20, 2026 | 9:08 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 20, 2026 | 9:08 PM
The alliance has urged citizens to organise protests in their localities and set up “Jantar Mantars” across the country.
Synopsis: The People Against SIR alliance has called for a nationwide march on 23 October to demand electoral reforms, the removal and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the restoration of voters deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Formed on 14 October, the alliance has urged citizens to organise local protests, set up “Jantar Mantars” and called on INDIA bloc parties to join the march.
The People Against SIR alliance has called for a nationwide People’s March on 23 October to demand electoral reforms, the removal and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the restoration of all voters deleted from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The alliance has urged citizens to organise protests in their localities and set up “Jantar Mantars” across the country under the slogan, “Har hath me Tiranga aur Har Gali me Jantar Mantar” (The Tricolour in every hand and a Jantar Mantar in every street).
Formed on 14 October, the alliance brings together organisations representing students, youth, farmers, workers, women, Dalits, Adivasis, minorities, persons with disabilities and transgender people. It has called on political parties in the INDIA bloc to join the march and strengthen protests nationwide.
The call has been endorsed by Parakala Prabhakar, Rakesh Tikait, Neha Bora, Abhijit Dipke, Aishe Ghosh, Prakash Raj, Prashant Bhushan, Viraaj Devang, Anjali Bharadwaj, Tushar Gandhi and Ganesh Devy.
The alliance has demanded the repeal of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, and the introduction of an impartial process for appointing Election Commissioners. Its demands also include a fair revision of electoral rolls, a return to paper ballots and wider electoral reforms.
Describing Indian democracy as being in a deep crisis, the alliance alleged that the electoral process and voter lists had been manipulated. It accused the Election Commission of serving the interests of the ruling leadership.
The alliance has called on citizens to take the initiative in their neighbourhoods and organise protests locally. It said the movement must remain people-led and provide space for young people to take leadership roles.
“All power to the people. Constitution will prevail, conspiracy will fail” it said in a statement.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
