New Delhi, October 23: Thousands of people representing farmers’ organisations, trade unions, student groups and Left parties marched towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters on Friday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Delhi Police detained more than 100 protesters after they attempted to cross multiple layers of barricades near Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, located a few hundred metres from the ECI headquarters on Ashoka Road.

The demonstrators carried the national flag and banners bearing slogans such as “Scrap SIR”, “Vote Chori” and “No Elections with SIR”. They also raised slogans targeting the poll panel chief, expressing opposition to the electoral roll revision exercise.

Some protesters climbed a tree and attempted to wave the national flag, while activists of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) displayed satirical placards directed at Kumar.

The march was organised by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR, a people’s collective. The demonstration began near Gole Dak Khana, at the intersection of Kalibari Marg and Bhai Vir Singh Marg, before proceeding towards the Election Commission headquarters.