India’s supreme court has ordered the government and election commission to explain the removal of tens of millions of voters from the electoral roll, which has sparked nationwide protests.
The removal of 130 million names from the voter roll has led to mass demonstrations across India, with opposition parties, student groups, and the youth-led Cockroach movement calling for the resignation of Election Commission head Gyanesh Kumar. The controversy stems from a nationwide effort to verify and "purify" the electoral roll, which has sparked widespread outrage. Many affected individuals, particularly in Delhi, Bihar, and West Bengal, claim they were wrongly stripped of their voting rights and have struggled to get their names reinstated. There are allegations that the process disproportionately targets minority communities, such as Muslims, who are traditionally not voters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The supreme court issued notices to the Modi government, the Election Commission, and Kumar, demanding a clear and transparent response to concerns raised about the voter list revision. The Election Commission has stated that the exercise aims to remove duplicate, dead, and ineligible names, as well as "illegal infiltrators." However, the opposition alliance, led by the Congress party, has accused the ECI of colluding with the government over alleged vote "chori" or cheating. Two petitions taken up by the supreme court have called for an independent inquiry into the decisions made by Kumar during the special intensive revision (SIR) process. The controversy has reignited protests among India's youth, who are expressing growing frustration with the Modi government.
Why it matters
The controversy threatens India’s electoral integrity and has mobilized youth against the Modi government.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
The supreme court will hold another hearing next week to address the credibility of the Election Commission.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.