Ahmedabad | October 11, 2026
Quick answer: Over 100 protesters were detained near MJ Library in Ahmedabad on Saturday evening, October 10, 2026, during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Gujarat Samachar reported. Congress, NSUI, SFI, Left groups and Gen Z youth took part. Speaking to the media, DCP Shivam Verma said more than 200 police personnel were deployed.
Key facts at a glance
- What: Protest demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
- When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
- Where: Near MJ Library, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Who: Congress, NSUI, SFI, Left outfits, independent students and Gen Z youth
- Detained: Over 100 (Gujarat Samachar); police said official figures would be shared later
- Police deployment: Over 200 personnel and police vehicles (DCP Shivam Verma)
- Issue: Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
What happened at the MJ Library protest?
According to Gujarat Samachar, the demonstration near MJ Library began at 6:30 pm and lasted for two and a half hours, until 9:00 pm. Police were deployed in large numbers around the area to stop demonstrators as the crowd grew, and strict security arrangements were put in place across the MJ Library precinct to restrict movement.
By the end of the evening, police had physically lifted protesters and put them into police vans. Over 100 demonstrators were detained, the paper reported.
Protesters raised three main slogans through the evening:
- “Gyanesh Kumar, Istifa Do” (Gyanesh Kumar, resign)
- “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” (vote thief, step down)
- “Gyanesh Kumar Hatao, Lokshahi Bachao” (remove Gyanesh Kumar, save democracy)
Those taking part included Congress leaders, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Left-wing groups, independent students and Gen Z youth, according to Gujarat Samachar.
What did Ahmedabad police say?
Speaking to the media, DCP Shivam Verma said more than 200 police personnel and police vehicles had been deployed to ensure the public faced no inconvenience and that no law-and-order or public-order problem arose.
“We are fully prepared to deal with any situation related to law and order,” he told reporters (translated from Hindi).
He said information on the number of people detained and further proceedings would be given later.
Did Gujarat police act before the protest?
Yes, according to Newslaundry. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and several Left organisations had called a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 10, the same day as the Ahmedabad demonstration, to demand Kumar’s resignation. In the days before it, students, social activists and young people in Gujarat said they had received calls from police.
Ahmedabad social activist Ashwin Vaghela told Newslaundry that two police officers came to him around 4 pm on October 8 while he was speaking with residents of a slum settlement about health issues. He said a police inspector asked them to submit a written undertaking that they would not take part in the October 10 Jantar Mantar protest. The outlet also reported that Ahmedabad activist Sneh Bhavsar was at a police station on the morning of October 9.
Why are protesters demanding the CEC’s resignation?
The protests followed an Indian Express investigation published on September 23. As cited by Outlook, the report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded at least 14 objections over 10 months to decisions taken under Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission rejected that reading in a statement the same day.
According to Al Jazeera, the deputies’ concerns related to revisions to voter lists, registration procedures and digital systems, and protesters say the changes favour the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The opposition alleges the SIR exercise led to the deletion of 13 crore voters from the electoral rolls, The South First reported. These remain allegations and have not been established by a court or an independent inquiry.
Earlier CEC protests in Ahmedabad and Gujarat
The October 10 demonstration was not the first in the state:
- September 10: Two persons were arrested for waving black flags and raising slogans as Kumar’s convoy left an Ahmedabad Management Association event during his Gujarat visit, PTI reported via ThePrint. One claimed to be from NSUI and the other was a social worker.
- September 28: Congress workers held a protest in Rajkot seeking Kumar’s resignation, according to Outlook.
- October 2: Protests were held in Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Patna as large demonstrations took place in Delhi and Mumbai, The Federal reported.
How big is the protest movement nationally?
More than 700 protesters were detained in Delhi on October 2, while hundreds gathered at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park at the CJP’s call, The Federal reported.
On October 6, opposition leaders marched from Parliament to the Election Commission office and were detained by Delhi Police after hours of protest, according to The South First. The next day, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi led INDIA bloc MPs to Jantar Mantar, where he said Kumar must resign.
The CJP has said it will continue protesting until Kumar resigns, Al Jazeera reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the CEC protest in Ahmedabad held?
Near MJ Library in Ahmedabad, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
How many people were detained at the Ahmedabad protest?
Over 100, according to Gujarat Samachar. DCP Shivam Verma said official figures would be shared later.
Who took part in the Ahmedabad CEC protest?
Congress leaders, NSUI, SFI, Left groups, independent students and Gen Z youth.
What did Ahmedabad police say about the protest?
Speaking to the media, DCP Shivam Verma said over 200 personnel and police vehicles were deployed to avoid inconvenience to the public and maintain law and order.
What slogans were raised?
“Gyanesh Kumar, Istifa Do,” “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” and “Gyanesh Kumar Hatao, Lokshahi Bachao.”
Why do protesters want Gyanesh Kumar to resign?
Over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a reported 14 internal objections by fellow election commissioners, which the Election Commission has disputed.
What is the Cockroach Janta Party?
A Gen Z-led movement that called a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 10 demanding Kumar’s resignation.
Sources:
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- Gujarat Samachar – Over 100 detained in Ahmedabad
- Newslaundry – Gujarat police detain, call and house arrest activists
- Outlook – Gaurav Gogoi detained in Guwahati
- Al Jazeera – Authorities clamp down as cockroach movement launches new protests
- The South First – INDIA bloc at Jantar Mantar
- ThePrint – Black flags at CEC’s convoy in Ahmedabad
- Outlook – Nationwide protests in photos (Rajkot)
- The Federal – Huge protests in Delhi, Mumbai
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