NEW DELHI: Five Left student organisations will join the October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the groups said in a joint statement on Tuesday.The student bodies also alleged that protesters and journalists have faced force during demonstrations against the Election Commission.The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), All India Students’ Federation (AISF), All India Students’ Association (AISA), Progressive Students’ Union (PSU) and All India Students’ Bloc (AISB) said they would participate in the protest in large numbers.The five organisations said they were coming together to build a broader movement and urged democratic organisations and individuals who uphold constitutional values to participate in the October 10 demonstration.“Thousands, irrespective of their socio-cultural backgrounds and political affiliations, have come together in defence of democratic values on which the imagination of modern India was built,” the statement said.
Student bodies allege police action against protesters
The organisations alleged that protests against the Election Commission of India and its functioning were being met with force by Delhi Police.“Protestors are being manhandled, lathi-charged, dragged, assaulted and groped by Delhi Police. Even journalists are not being spared,” they alleged.
Groups demand Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, SIR rollback
The protesters are seeking the resignation and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, revocation of the SIR exercise and reforms in the Election Commission, the groups said.The statement was issued by SFI general secretary Srijan Bhattacharya, AISF general secretary Dinesh Srirangarajan, AISA general secretary Praseenjeet Kumar, PSU general secretary Balaram Sajeev and AISB convenor Amit Singh.(With PTI inputs)
