Youth Congress Protests with Ravan Effigy of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
The Indian Youth Congress demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar through a dramatic protest in Delhi.
IYC burned an effigy of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation.
The protest highlighted allegations of electoral manipulation and lack of transparency.
IYC plans to continue protests until accountability is achieved.
In a bold demonstration of dissent, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) set ablaze an effigy of Ravan, featuring the likeness of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, on Monday in New Delhi. This protest, held at the IYC headquarters on Raisina Road, aimed to voice concerns over alleged irregularities within the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The event was part of a street performance titled 'Vote Chori Ki Raasleela', designed to draw attention to claims of electoral manipulation and to question the integrity of the electoral process.
IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib addressed the crowd, asserting that the protests would persist until Kumar either resigned or faced imprisonment. He stated, "Gyanesh Kumar, who is undermining democracy and the Constitution, cannot escape accountability. We will continue our protests in various forms until he is jailed or resigns. He has engaged in 'vote chori'." Chib emphasized the need for the Election Commission to be answerable to the public and insisted that the CEC should accept moral responsibility for the issues raised regarding electoral transparency.
Chib further articulated that democracy extends beyond merely conducting elections; it encompasses the respect for every vote and the safeguarding of citizens' mandates. He stressed that when significant questions arise concerning electoral transparency, it is the duty of the Election Commission to provide clear responses and maintain the highest standards of impartiality. The IYC's statement indicated that the effigy-burning was a symbolic act of their opposition to the alleged electoral irregularities and a call for accountability from the electoral body.
The protest coincided with the launch of IYC's digital campaign, 'Digital Ravan Dahan', which encourages citizens to identify what the organization refers to as the "10 heads of India's Ravan". This initiative allows individuals to express their opinions via the IYC website and is set to culminate in a virtual Ravan Dahan event on Tuesday at 7:30 PM. The IYC has been vocal in its demands for Kumar's resignation, citing concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR process, which have also drawn scrutiny from opposition parties.
Looking ahead, the IYC has pledged to continue its protests and public campaigns until their calls for enhanced electoral transparency and institutional accountability are met. The organization is determined to ensure that the sanctity of democracy is preserved, reflecting the sentiments of the youth across the nation.
