Published Oct 16, 2026 | 6:53 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 16, 2026 | 6:53 PM
DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi joined students and young activists protesting the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Egmore.
Synopsis: DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi joined students and young activists protesting the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Egmore; organisers called for the scrapping of SIR, the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and changes to the law governing the appointment of election commissioners.
Students affiliated with various organisations, other youngsters and independent activists staged a protest in Chennai’s Egmore on Friday, October 16, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The demonstration drew support from DMK leaders, while speakers urged the protesters to look beyond party affiliations and focus on protecting citizens’ voting rights.
DMK Deputy General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, along with former ministers Mano Thangaraj and Sekar Babu, participated in the protest, expressing solidarity with those opposing the electoral roll revision exercise.
The protest was organised by five women activists based in Chennai: Radhika Ganesh, Nivedita Ravi, Sanjana, Sheryl and Archana. The organisers described the protest as an independent citizens’ initiative, unaffiliated with any political party, and intended to provide a safe and inclusive space for young people and first-time protesters.
The key demands at the demonstration were the withdrawal of SIR, the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and changes to the legal framework governing the appointment and protection of Election Commissioners.
Addressing the gathering, Kanimozhi criticised the Union government over its handling of democratic institutions and alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was not functioning independently.
DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi speaks at a protest demanding the withdrawal of SIR and electoral reforms.
She accused the government of branding its critics as anti-national and reducing the number of parliamentary sessions. She also questioned the appointment of the Election Commissioners, arguing that the ruling party had an advantage over the Opposition.
“In the selection of Election Commissioners, two members represent the ruling party, while only one represents the Opposition. Even if the Opposition representative raises objections, they are not accepted, and the government goes ahead with what it wants,” she said.
The DMK MP alleged that the ECI was functioning merely as an “eyewash” and claimed that the SIR exercise had prevented 74 lakh voters in the state from exercising their voting rights. She further alleged that one lakh people had been removed from the electoral rolls in the Kolathur Assembly constituency alone.
“Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar must step down and go home,” she said.
Speaking to reporters, Kanimozhi said the DMK had opposed the SIR even before the elections and would continue to support protests against the exercise.
Stickers carrying satirical messages are distributed amid protests against SIR.
“Even before the elections, our president M.K. Stalin had opposed the SIR process. Young people across the country have come together to protest against it, and the DMK stands with them,” she said.
She reiterated her demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and criticised the Tamil Nadu ruling establishment, alleging that its ministers lacked the courage to question the BJP over SIR.
“Today, ministers in the ruling establishment in Tamil Nadu do not have the courage to criticise the BJP. Instead, they are blaming the DMK for the implementation of SIR,” she said.
Kanimozhi’s statement comes as the DMK has largely stayed away from the INDIA bloc’s protests against the CEC, amid a feud with the Congress, which allied with its rival, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Referring to the controversy over the removal of names from the electoral rolls in Kolathur, where former Chief Minister MK Stalin was defeated by a TVK candidate, Kanimozhi said VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan had already explained what had happened and that there was no need to ‘search for the truth’.
During the INDIA bloc protest in Chennai on October 15, Thirumavalavan alleged that SIR may have contributed to Stalin’s defeat in the constituency. He said he had warned Stalin and former minister PK Sekarbabu before the elections about the possibility of Stalin losing the seat, citing concerns over voter deletions.
Also Read: DMK hits back at Congress MP Manickam Tagore over SIR criticism, Delhi protest absence
VCK leader Thirumavalavan, who addressed the gathering after Kanimozhi, described the SIR as a “conspiracy against the Constitution.” He alleged that the Election Commission was acting in line with the political agenda of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar, and called for the CEC’s resignation.
A protest placard questions the state of democracy amid opposition to SIR.
Questioning the implementation of SIR, the VCK leader asked why the exercise had proceeded despite alleged objections from the other Election Commissioners. He sought to know whose instructions had led to the revision being carried out.
Thirumavalavan argued that the scale of voter deletions during the SIR warranted scrutiny and questioned how many of the over 13 crore deleted voters were actually “illegal” immigrants.
Describing the idea of imposing a uniform national identity and culture as “fascist,” he argued that the constitutional principles of pluralism, federalism and fraternity were incompatible with the political ideology of the Sangh Parivar.
Speaking to reporters, Thirumavalavan announced that the INDIA bloc would organise district-wise protests in the state. Warning that the agitation could develop into a wider public movement, the VCK leader called for intense protests across Tamil Nadu.
He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi feared that the CEC’s resignation would lend credibility to the controversies surrounding the SIR exercise.
Acknowledging that SIR had been implemented in Tamil Nadu while the DMK-led alliance was in power, he argued that the state government was required to comply with the Election Commission’s rules.
Addressing the protest gathering, social activist Sachin stated that the debate over SIR should not be reduced to a political contest between the ruling TVK and the DMK.
Protesters display photographs documenting police action during demonstrations.
He alleged that the BJP benefits when supporters of the two parties focus on their rivalry instead of questioning the electoral revision process.
“Long live TVK and let DMK lose is a narrative set by the BJP. Let DMK rise and TVK lose is again a narrative set by the BJP,” Sachin said.
“What the BJP wants to do is make two parties fight in state politics, such that they can release SIR using Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi and choose who should win and who shouldn’t win. This is a pre-planned game done by the BJP,” he said.
Sachin urged young people to prioritise the protection of voting rights over party loyalties.
“As long as Tamil Nadu youngsters are going to focus on ‘Hey, you are TVK’ and ‘Hey, you are DMK’, the BJP is winning. This narrative has to be challenged,” he said.
He called on people across Tamil Nadu and the country to protest under the national flag rather than under the flag of any political party.
Sachin also demanded changes to the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners, calling for the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to be involved in the selection process.
The women who organised the demonstration emphasised that the protest was not affiliated with any political party and was driven by concerns over democratic rights and the exclusion of voters from the electoral rolls.
Sheryl, one of the organisers, said the protesters had come together because they believed fundamental rights and democratic freedoms should take precedence over political affiliations.
“All of us who have come here today for the protest are independent citizens. We are not affiliated with a political body or any other political association,” she said.
She argued that SIR could affect people’s right to establish their identity and participate in the democratic process.
“Our fundamental rights and the right to live independently with freedom in this democratic country come above all other political lines,” she said.
Sheryl appealed to supporters of the TVK to join the protest, stressing that the movement needed support from party cadres on the streets.
“All of us have a right to dissent, and we will dissent until democracy hears us,” she said.
Nivedita, another co-organiser, said the protest was intended to raise awareness among young people about SIR and its potential implications for voting rights.
She argued that Tamil Nadu had a long history of protest and resistance that needed to be preserved, particularly when citizens believed democratic rights were under threat.
“Today we are here so that the young people of Tamil Nadu can be educated on what SIR is, the draconian laws put forth by the fascist regime, and what Gyanesh Kumar has allowed this country to go into,” she said.
Nivedita called on the Union government to protect citizens’ constitutional rights and ensure that eligible voters were not excluded from the electoral process.
“Our appeal to the ruling government is that you have to protect the rights of the people. You are responsible for protecting the voting rights of the people, which is fundamental, which is the constitutional right of the people,” she said.
She demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and called for the SIR exercise to be scrapped, arguing that any electoral revision process should ensure the inclusion of every eligible voter.
Nivedita also said the Chennai protest was inspired by protests elsewhere in the country, where people from different political, religious and social backgrounds had come together.
“We need to come together irrespective of our identities. We need to stand together to uphold democracy, and the young people of this country are showing us that right now,” she said.
Also Read: Kerala Assembly passes resolution seeking removal of Chief Election Commissioner
Another activist, Shiva, questioned how democratic elections could be considered truly representative if citizens were deprived of their right to vote.
Shiva also referred to judicial scrutiny of the electoral roll process and argued that the issue needed wider public attention. He called for people from different walks of life, including students, artists and other citizens, to participate in the movement.
Shiva said he was disappointed that TVK had not been vocal enough about the SIR issue, even though he believed the party supported the cause. He urged TVK leaders and cadres to take their support beyond words and participate in the protests on the ground.
He stressed that the movement should not be seen as belonging exclusively to the DMK merely because its leaders and supporters were present, and called on people from all political backgrounds, including students, artists and young people, to join the campaign against the alleged disenfranchisement of voters.
The protest brought together representatives of the DMK, VCK, SDPI, Communist parties, Left organisations, women’s wings, students and independent activists, all demanding action against SIR and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
