Thousands march on India’s Supreme Court over voter-roll purge

Thousands of people joined a “March for Democracy” to India’s Supreme Court in New Delhi on Monday, demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign over a revision of the country’s electoral rolls, the BBC reported.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has petitioned the court for an audit of the deletions and an interim suspension of the revision. A hearing was expected on Tuesday, according to ABC News in Australia.

…any such petition shall be heard at the earliest possible opportunity

Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, as quoted by the BBC

Reported figures for the number of names removed differ. ABC put it at more than 130 million and Al Jazeera, citing media reports, at more than 133 million, while the BBC described it as tens of millions. The Election Commission denies wrongdoing and says voters removed in error can re-enrol.

Police detained thousands of people over the weekend, most of whom were later released. Reporters Without Borders said at least 16 journalists were detained. Six major metro stations were closed, and demonstrations at Jantar Mantar were barred.

Critics say the revision disproportionately affected minorities, particularly Muslims. The opposition argues it benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party; the BJP and the commission reject that. BJP president Nitin Nabin accused the opposition of acting for unnamed foreign forces.

The revision is being challenged as the opposition pushes for Kumar’s resignation; the Election Commission rejects the allegations.