‘A Lathi Can Stop a Crowd, But Not a Question’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Protesters Demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised the Centre over protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying peaceful protesters were being detained for questioning what he described as “vote theft”. Gandhi invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s message of truth and non-violence and said, “a lathi can stop a crowd, but not a question.”

The remarks came as student groups, civil society organisations and opposition leaders held or attempted to hold demonstrations in Delhi and other parts of the country over the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Viral Video Shows Delhi Police Officer Punching GenZ Protester at Jantar Mantar, Bharadwaj Says ‘Real Face of Police’.

Rahul Gandhi Backs Protesters Demanding CEC Resignation

In a post on X on Gandhi Jayanti, Gandhi said thousands of young people were protesting peacefully and exercising their constitutional rights. He said the protesters’ demand was clear — the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar — and called for what he described as the protection of democracy.

Gandhi also alleged that hundreds of protesters had been taken into custody in response to the demonstrations. “And the Modi-Shah government's response? Boys and girls are being dragged off the streets. Hundreds are in custody,” Gandhi said in his post.

He invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, saying that protesters were following the principle of speaking the truth and fighting peacefully. “Because a lathi can stop a crowd, but not a question,” Gandhi said, adding that he believed Kumar would eventually leave and that the system that appointed him would also change. Mumbai, Delhi See Protests Against Election Commission, SIR; Opposition Leaders Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal.

‘A Lathi Can Stop a Crowd, But Not a Question’

आज गांधी जयंती है।

और आज ही, हज़ारों नौजवान वोट चोरी के ख़िलाफ़ सड़कों पर हैं - शांतिपूर्वक, बिना हिंसा के, अपने संवैधानिक अधिकार का इस्तेमाल करते हुए।

उनकी माँग साफ़ है: ज्ञानेश कुमार इस्तीफ़ा दें। लोकतंत्र बचाओ।

और Modi-Shah सरकार का जवाब? लड़के-लड़कियों को सड़कों पर घसीटा…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 2, 2026

Around 500 Detained During Delhi CEC Protest

The remarks came as Delhi Police detained around 500 people who attempted to gather for a protest against Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on Friday, according to The Indian Express. Those detained included AISA national president Neha Bora and Aam Aadmi Party Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with Congress workers and student activists.

Police had refused permission for the proposed demonstration and had imposed prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the New Delhi district. Security was tightened around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and other parts of central Delhi. Protesters were taken to different police stations after being detained.

Protests Linked to SIR Electoral Roll Revision

The demonstrations have been linked to allegations surrounding the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties and civil society groups have raised questions over the process and have demanded greater accountability from the poll panel. They have also called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

The Election Commission, however, has rejected suggestions that differences among election commissioners amounted to institutional dissent over final decisions. The poll panel has said that operational queries, inputs and suggestions raised during the draft stage were part of the normal administrative and decision-making process, and that decisions concerning the SIR schedule were unanimous.

Opposition Protests Spread Across Cities

The Delhi demonstration was part of wider protests against the Election Commission. Civil society groups and political organisations also held demonstrations in Mumbai, where protesters raised concerns over the SIR exercise and demanded Kumar’s resignation. Reuters reported that hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party and other groups participated in the Mumbai protests.

Opposition parties have also indicated plans for further demonstrations. According to reports, an opposition-led programme is planned for October 6, while a larger rally in Delhi has been announced for November 1.

Rahul Gandhi’s Earlier Attack Over SIR

Gandhi’s latest comments follow his recent criticism of the Election Commission over the SIR exercise. On Thursday, he had alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar were responsible for what he described as an attack on India’s electoral system. He again demanded Kumar’s resignation and called for an investigation into the allegations.

The Election Commission has continued to reject allegations of wrongdoing, while the opposition has maintained that the electoral-roll revision requires greater scrutiny and transparency. The dispute has consequently become a broader political confrontation over electoral rolls, the functioning of the Election Commission and the treatment of protesters demanding accountability from the poll panel.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2026 09:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).