by Paolo Affatato
New Delhi – A march for democracy, calling for respect for voting rights and institutional reforms, is taking place today, 23 October, at the initiative of the national network “People Against Special Intensive Revision ”, established to coordinate protests against the revision of electoral rolls.
The movement is challenging the way in which the Election Commission of India has updated voter lists. The centralized “cleansing” of the electoral rolls has reportedly led to the exclusion of approximately 130 million citizens from the registers, effectively depriving them of the right to vote. The movement accuses the government of using the SIR process as a “political weapon”, disproportionately excluding minorities, internal migrants and the poorest sections of the population. Particular criticism has been directed at the “unilateral and opaque” manner in which Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has handled the process, with protesters calling for his resignation.
The mobilization, which calls on people to gather outside administrative offices in state capitals and in the national capital, comes amid growing youth participation and increasing mobilization across different sectors of Indian society.
Father Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit committed to promoting human rights and social justice, told Fides about “the commitment to truth and justice, particularly among youth movements”. He also drew attention to the symbolic significance of the Hindu festival of Dussehra, an important celebration observed at this time of year.
“It is a time when we celebrate the victory of good over evil, truth over falsehood, transparency over corruption, harmony over sectarianism, and light over darkness,” Prakash explained.
At the heart of the mobilization are the younger generations. “Winds of change are blowing in Delhi and, indeed, across the country. Generation Z is at the forefront, supported by Generation Y, the Millennials, while Generation Alpha refuses to stand by and watch,” he said.
However, the protests extend well beyond student circles. Alongside young people, “farmers, lawyers, precarious workers, homemakers, academics, media professionals, older people and civil society organizations are coming together. All are determined to open a new chapter in the country’s history,” he noted.
Civil society’s demands
The movement gained momentum following the mobilization on 16 September in Delhi and the surrounding areas of the national capital, where thousands gathered despite restrictions, responding to a call by the Cockroach Janata Party , a new political movement that has emerged on the national scene .
Demonstrators chanted slogans and formed a human chain outside the presidential residence, holding a tricolour flag stretching for more than 80 metres.
The authorities responded with a substantial deployment of police forces and the detention of protesters and members of the All India Students Association. Two movement leaders, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, had been held in custody on charges of “violating rules governing demonstrations”. They were released on 21 October after seven days in detention.
Young protesters are also denouncing restrictions on spaces designated for demonstrations, the closure of metro stations and internet disruptions in areas where protests are taking place. They regard these measures as government attempts to weaken the demonstrations.
A significant step towards coordinating the protests came on 14 October, when national and state-level organizations met for consultations. According to Prakash, more than 200 civil society organizations took part, including youth groups and farmers’ associations. The meeting led to the creation of the People Against SIR network, which announced the “People’s March for Democracy” for 23 October.
The mobilization is calling for a review of the SIR system and the reinstatement of voters whose names have been removed from the electoral rolls. Organizers are also demanding a new Election Commission appointed through an impartial process, a fair revision of the electoral rolls, a return to paper ballots, and reforms to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
The appeal is addressed to professional associations and civil society groups, which are being urged to mobilize peacefully “in every village, every street, every home”. The slogan, widely circulated as part of the campaign, reflects the movement’s aim of turning every space of everyday life into a place of democratic participation.
Mobilization transcends generational boundaries
The protests are unfolding against a backdrop of younger Indians asserting their role in public life, using social media to spread messages, slogans and personal accounts. For Fr Prakash, their presence is not merely a matter of numbers, but a sign of renewed civic energy.
“The events in Delhi have breathed new life into the energy of young people and all sections of society, directing them towards a more determined path forward,” he said, noting that lawyers and prominent public figures are also supporting the mobilization.
At a public hearing on complaints concerning the SIR system, testimonies gathered from several states, including Karnataka, Delhi, Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal and Odisha, were presented to an independent commission comprising five former judges. The commission is expected to formulate its findings.
“The issue concerns citizens’ right to participate in political life and their trust in the institutions responsible for conducting elections,” Fr Prakash stressed. “Citizens are setting out on a journey to preserve India’s soul.”
He added that the movement draws inspiration from the tradition of non-violence associated with Mahatma Gandhi, who pursued “truth and goodness”.
“The youth mobilization seeks to embrace this legacy and translate it into a call for civic participation and responsibility, until the values of democracy, equality, justice and truth prevail,” he concluded.
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