New Delhi, Oct 19 A tall effigy of Ravan bearing the face of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was consigned to flames during an Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protest here on Monday, demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR exercise.
The protest, held at the IYC headquarters on Raisina Road, featured a street performance titled ‘Vote Chori Ki Raasleela’ — seeking to highlight allegations of electoral manipulation and question the transparency and impartiality of the poll panel, according to a statement issued by the organisation.
A stage decorated with colourful posters and slogans targeting the Election Commission was also set up at the venue.
The symbolic ‘Ravan Dahan’ (burning of Ravan) was part of IYC’s ongoing campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral processes and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
Addressing the gathering, IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib said the Election Commission must be accountable to people, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar should take moral responsibility for the concerns raised over electoral transparency.
“Democracy is not merely about holding elections; it is about ensuring that every vote is respected and every citizen’s mandate is protected.
“When serious questions are raised about electoral transparency, the responsibility of the Election Commission is to provide clear answers and uphold the highest standards of impartiality,” Chib said.
He said the protest was intended to convey that the youth would not “compromise with democratic values”.
“Through our ‘Vote Chori Ki Raasleela’ protest, the Indian Youth Congress is sending a clear message that the youth of this country will not allow the sanctity of democracy to be compromised. The burning of the effigy of CEC Gyanesh Kumar represents our anger and our demand for accountability,” Chib said.
Chib demanded Kumar’s resignation, alleging that the Election Commission had failed to adequately address concerns over electoral integrity.
“The Election Commission is an institution entrusted with protecting the people’s mandate, not an authority that can escape public scrutiny. We demand transparency, accountability and concrete answers to the concerns surrounding electoral integrity,” he said.
The protest came a day after the IYC launched a digital campaign inviting citizens to identify what it described as the “10 heads of India’s Ravan”, using the symbolism of Dussehra to draw attention to issues it says threaten democratic institutions.
The campaign, titled ‘Digital Ravan Dahan’, invites people to register their views through the website ‘chalojantarmantar.com’. It is scheduled to culminate in a virtual Ravan Dahan on Tuesday at 7.30 pm, the organisation said.
Chib said the online initiative is intended to give citizens a platform to raise concerns over electoral transparency and seek accountability from constitutional institutions.
The IYC has been holding protests demanding Kumar’s resignation amid allegations of irregularities in the Election Commission’s functioning and the SIR exercise.
Opposition parties have questioned aspects of the revision process and raised concerns about its implications.
The IYC said its protests and public campaigns would continue until its demands for greater electoral transparency and institutional accountability are addressed.
(PTI News)
