'Gujarat Samachar,' the prestigious and most widely circulated Gujarati daily newspaper, has, in its issue of October 1, huge banner headlines emblazoned on its front page: 'On Gandhi Jayanti begins a national protest to 'Save Democracy!' Those who have called for this protest include the INDIA bloc (nineteen opposition political parties), the Gen Z 'Cockroach Janta Party,' student organisations, women's groups, and others. Just above these headlines is a powerful photo collage of almost a dozen pictures depicting the wide range of protests taking place all over the country today. The demands are many: they include the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the freezing of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a return to paper ballots, and women's safety.

India is on the boil! The nation has been simmering since 2014; ten years later, it has gone from bad to worse. Thanks to Gen Z, a new awakening has emerged in the past four months. Perhaps, since the pre-Independence freedom struggle, there has never been such massive national outrage. Even the protests after the Emergency will pale in comparison. The people of India are loud and clear today: this rot has to stop; we need change now!

On September 23, for the first time in many years, we, the people of India, woke up to the news that the promise of 'achhe din' may actually materialise soon: that there is light at the end of the tunnel!
The India Express of that day had banner headlines screaming:
'14 times in 10 months, two Election Commissioners objected on record to steps taken by Commission-from keeping them in the dark to adding new voters, deleting names.'

Thanks to their investigative journalist, Ritika Chopra, The Indian Express has done a singular, stellar and extraordinary service to the people of India. The detailed 'Express Investigation' (Part I) covered most of the first and second pages of the daily. A brilliant SIR (Spectacular Investigation Report) on Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), who has used the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to disenfranchise thousands of legitimate citizens across the country and rig elections in favour of the ruling regime. Gyanesh Kumar has betrayed the nation; he is undoubtedly the most corrupt, biased, anti-people, anti-national, anti-democracy and incompetent Chief Election Commissioner the nation has ever seen. He took several important decisions solo, despite the other two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, flagging "unauthorised, illegal" moves and writing notes of dissent. On several legitimate counts, Gyanesh Kumar must go: he must resign on moral grounds or be impeached immediately!

The revelations by the IE should make even the most ardent of andh bhakts squirm. Many of them really do not know where to look and where to go! Most may perhaps not understand the significance of what is happening in the country today. They are 'dumbos!' After all, they have been told 'not to think' by their bosses – if they do so, they will be called 'dimagi naxals.' The sensational news has sent all into a frenetic tizzy. Many of them slowly realise that Modi, Shah, the CEC, and the crony capitalist friends have brought disgrace to the nation. India is the laughing stock of the world today! They are huddled up – desperate to find a way out. It still has to sink in: that finally, all doors are closed! The nation is outraged – there is no way a Houdini act is possible. They have met their Waterloo!

At the heart of the IE investigative report is the undisputed fact that the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which began in Bihar in June 2025, an otherwise routine clean-up of the rolls, has struck more than 13 crore names off the voter rolls in 30 States and Union Territories. This has put the Election Commission at the centre of intense public debate over its role in deciding who gets to vote — and who doesn't. This is a mind-boggling number. A blatant violation of ordinary citizens' rights. Already, opposition leaders are shouting that the Indian Express report makes it clear the BJP didn't win Maharashtra, Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, and Haryana; Gyanesh Kumar made them win these states via SIR and 'Vote Chori!'

There are some significant 'takeaways' from this sensational piece of investigative journalism; they include:
1.    Two of three Election Commissioners have lodged 14 formal objections to the poll panel decisions, led by chief Gyanesh Kumar, in 10 months.
2.    Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi allege key decisions were made without their knowledge or approval.
3.    The internal rift centres on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which affects 13 crore voter names.
4.    ECs challenged "unauthorised, illegal" changes to Form-6 for new voter registration.
5.    Concerns raised over the "gradual centralisation" of the electoral roll database via IT divisions.
6.    Centralised software now overrides ground-level Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) decisions, blocking eligible voters.
7.    Centralising digital systems erodes the EC's traditional decentralised safeguard against rigging.
8.    Officials questioned the IT Director General's legal authority to restrict access for statutory officers.
9.    Software issues in Goa disenfranchised 97 eligible voters despite Supreme Court orders.
10.    The rift highlights tensions over the 2023 Act mandate that EC business be transacted unanimously.
11.    Objections were copied to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, signalling an unprecedented rift in constitutional authority.
12.    Unlike past individual dissents, this rift sees the Commission majority sidelined from decisions.

The investigation reveals that questions were raised on these critical issues within the three-member Election Commission (EC) itself, time and again, throughout much of this period. By two of the three Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, no less. All three Commissioners have supervised the national rollout of the SIR. But Sandhu and Joshi have formally objected, on record, at least 14 times over the last 10 months — four times on a single day — to decisions taken and orders issued, they say, without their knowledge. Surely they will be on the receiving end of a vindictive regime – they will soon have the CBI, the ED, the NIA, the IT Dept. hounding them!

Significantly, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is a three-member Constitutional body whose business must be transacted as far as possible unanimously. It consists of one Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (ECs). The Commission makes decisions by consensus or, when there is a difference of opinion, by majority vote among the three members. All three commissioners hold equal say and status in the functioning and decisions of the Commission. If two of the three Commissioners were kept in the dark or were unaware of the Commission's decisions, this cannot be dismissed as a mere internal or procedural matter. It constitutes a grave assault on Indian Democracy. The credibility of this Constitutional apex institution, expected to function independently, impartially, transparently, and without political interference, has today been seriously compromised.

On September 24, the Indian Express published an incisive and detailed editorial entitled, 'Two ECs stand up to ask; CEC must answer, SC must not turn away.' In a way, it powerfully sums up their investigation report. The editorial minces no words throughout and, in its final salvo, says, "Free and fair elections are not one institutional compact among many; they are the cornerstone of how this nation, through its citizens, shapes its present and future; they are the reason players respect the rules and losers accept the verdict. The black box has been opened, and it will not be shut again. Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi have listened to their conscience and raised key questions. The CEC must answer them, point by point — if it needs a nudge from the highest court, so be it."

As expected, national outrage has erupted. People from every walk of life have come out in the open saying, 'enough is enough.' Social media is reeking with anger over the fraud committed against the nation. The opposition is up in arms, calling for re-elections in Maharashtra, Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, and Haryana, and saying the CEC must go immediately! On the evening of September 23, the ECI put out a pathetic 'Press Release' which does not rebut anything in the IE exposé.

Practically everyone who matters in India: civil society leaders, academics and others have been sharing their views/opinions on what is happening. There are interviews and statements, memes and cartoons, signature campaigns, and cases filed in the courts. In a powerful and detailed statement, the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) says, among other things, "The Court now has an opportunity to begin to make institutional amends. The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on 23rd September, in a case challenging the mode of appointment of the Election Commissioners. In this judgment, a split verdict was delivered, with Justice Bagchi holding that, 'It is far-fetched to expect that a minister who is part of the Cabinet of Ministers would adopt a stand disagreeing with the leader or government. Inclusion of cabinet ministers fails to provide an independent counterweight that a neutral selector would.' One hopes that the opinion of Justice Bagchi will become the opinion of the Court when the matter is heard by a larger Bench. While the Court has to play its role in ensuring that the process of appointment is fair, as of now impeachment proceedings must be initiated against Gyanesh Kumar and Parliament should demand a full, transparent accounting through a joint parliamentary committee, if necessary, of every decision the two dissenting Commissioners say was taken without their consent. The reason this exercise in voter theft has come out is that the Indian Express has played its role as a watchdog institution, and the much vaunted fourth pillar of democracy. This is a welcome development at a time when mainstream media have chosen proximity to power over independence from it. One hopes that this does not remain a straw in the wind and more and more media outlets feel empowered to perform their constitutional role as watchdogs of democracy."

Strangely enough, even some of the 'godified media' have made cautious comments, knowing full well that the endgame is near! On the evening of September 24, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Opposition in Parliament, held a press conference where he presented facts and figures and called those responsible for this pitiable state of affairs 'deshdrohi!'

On September 25, hundreds of citizens came together at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and scrapping of the SIR. Prominent among them were CPIML Liberation General Secretary Deepankar Bhattacharya, Swaraj Party leader Yogendra Yadav, RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj, Educationist Dr Nandita Narrain, DUTA student Neha Bora, AISA and several others. Police put up an eight-row barricade. The rally was stopped, and police forced people into vehicles. Police took the detainees in four different directions across Delhi and detained them at police stations far from the scene. They were released only late that evening.

Gen Z, however, is surely calling the shots. The trio of the Cockroach Janata Party held a massive press conference on the afternoon of September 24. Their unequivocal demands include:
1.    The resignation of the CEC Gyanesh Kumar within the next 48 hours
2.    To initiate criminal proceedings against him immediately and answer who gave Gyanesh Kumar the order.
(This is a very big question. Who is passing orders to Gyanesh Kumar??
He alone cannot do this at all!!)
1.    Immediately put all upcoming polls on hold. Freeze the SIR and roll back the January 2025 Voter's List. Constitute an inquiry Commission to gain public confidence and look into all SIR processes. The Supreme Court should seize all SIR files in its custody. So no one can say that all files were burnt or a file went missing.
2.    To repeal the appointments of the Election Commission of India. Make a new law that inspires public confidence with the active participation of civil society members.

Great Demands indeed! They promise to do a 'Jantar Mantar 2.0' and a nationwide campaign if their demands are not met in toto! They will begin on October 2!

All are also eagerly waiting for Part II of the IE 'Investigation Report' ... that will surely provide much more ammunition. The fascist regime is on the back foot, knowing fully well that it will soon be dismantled and the country will be back on the tracks of democracy! In the meantime, CEC Gyanesh Kumar must go: he should resign and take full responsibility for his immoral and anti-national activities. Failing which, he must be impeached!

Taking a swipe at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke used the popular meme 'it's done bro' and hinted at a possible campaign on EC reforms. Dipke tweeted, "Election Commission thik karo (Fix the Election Commission)! Important PC tomorrow (Thursday) in Delhi. Gyanesh, it's done, bro!" 

Yes, the CEC must go – immediately!