Indian Youth Group Sets 48-Hour Deadline for Election Commission Chief
New Delhi: Leaders of India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement have said they will organise protests across the country if Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar does not resign within 48 hours.
The announcement came a day after an Indian Express report highlighted disagreements among senior officials of India’s Election Commission over several issues, including the revision of electoral rolls.
Election Commission Responds
The newspaper reported that two election commissioners had raised questions or expressed concerns at least 14 times over a 10-month period, with many of the issues reportedly related to the voter-list updating process.
The Election Commission of India said differences of opinion can occur within institutions and maintained that its decisions and actions have been taken in accordance with the law.
Youth Movement Previously Led Protests
The CJP movement previously organised weeks of demonstrations led by young people, which began in late June following controversy over leaked national examination papers.
The leaks resulted in a rescheduled examination affecting around 2 million students, according to the report, and sparked wider concerns among young people about education and employment opportunities.
The protests eventually ended after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and the government agreed to demands put forward by the protesters.
Earlier Protest Demands
The youth movement had called for changes to the examination system, the withdrawal of police cases registered against protesters and financial assistance for families of students who died by suicide following the examination controversy.
Following the education minister’s resignation, thousands of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where celebrations were held as the movement announced the suspension of its demonstrations.
The government had previously held talks with representatives of the CJP movement, with Health Minister JP Nadda and junior minister Jitendra Singh participating in discussions.
New Demand Focuses on Election Commission
The latest announcement shifts the movement’s focus towards India’s election authorities.
The CJP has given the Election Commission chief 48 hours to step down and has threatened nationwide demonstrations if its demand is not met.
The development comes ahead of several important state elections scheduled in India next year, adding further attention to the debate over the functioning of the country’s electoral institutions.
The Election Commission, meanwhile, has defended its procedures and said internal differences are a normal part of institutional functioning.
