Opposition Leaders in India to Meet Following Protests Against Election Chief

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to host fellow lawmakers from the INDIA bloc for tea on Tuesday, following a protest that drew thousands to the Supreme Court on Monday. The demonstration was organized in response to alleged manipulation of voter rolls, which has sparked public outcry against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Reports indicate that approximately 130 million names have been removed from electoral rolls under a process known as Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which began last year. Critics argue that this process benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a claim the Election Commission and BJP deny. Gandhi stated on social media that the opposition is united against what they describe as threats to democracy. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement, reported that three of its leaders were detained during a protest attempt on Tuesday. The CJP has been vocal in demanding Kumar's resignation, asserting that the right to protest is fundamental. The opposition's petition filed in the Supreme Court seeks to address alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision. The Supreme Court is expected to hear related pleas challenging actions taken by authorities to prevent protests. This ongoing situation reflects rising tensions surrounding electoral integrity in India.