PROTESTS, rallies and public meetings were held across Tripura on October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and expressing solidarity with the ongoing movement in Delhi. Besides the state capital Agartala, demonstrations took place in Belonia, Amarpur, Sonamura, Longtharai Valley, Kailashahar and Panisagar. Workers, farmers, agricultural workers, jhum cultivators, students and youths participated in the protest programmes. At several locations, effigies of Gyanesh Kumar were burnt, with protesters demanding his resignation.

The programmes were jointly organised by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Kisan Sabha, Tripura Upajati Ganamukti Parishad (GMP) and All India Agricultural Workers’ Union (AIAWU). The protests were called over the role of the Election Commission, the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and concerns over the protection of voting rights.

The protesters put forward four demands: the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar; suspension of the SIR process and amendments related to Form 6; re-inclusion in the electoral rolls of voters whose names had been deleted during the SIR exercise; and amendment of the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners to include the Chief Justice of India in the appointment process. They alleged that the revision of electoral rolls had raised concerns about the possible deprivation of voting rights for large numbers of people.

At the protest programme organised at Paradise Chowmuhani in Agartala, speakers included GMP general secretary Radhacharan Debbarma, All India Kisan Sabha state secretary Ratan Das, AIAWU state secretary Shyamal Dey and trade union leader Samar Chakraborty. The meeting was presided over by a panel comprising Pranab Debbarma, Madhusudan Das and Nirmal Roy.

In his address, Radhacharan Debbarma alleged that the BJP government was attempting to bring independent constitutional institutions under its control. He claimed that the CEC was working in favour of the Union government and said the deletion of large numbers of names from electoral rolls had raised serious questions about democratic rights. He stressed the need to build a broader movement to protect the country’s democratic system.

Ratan Das said people must unite to defend democracy and voting rights. He alleged that the SIR process could lead to the deletion of the names of voters who support opposition parties. He appealed to people from all sections of society, irrespective of political affiliation, to join the movement. Those attending the gathering carried placards and posters highlighting their demands. The programme concluded with the burning of an effigy of Gyanesh Kumar.

A protest programme was held at Rabindra Chowmuhani in Sonamura subdivision. The rally began in front of the CPI(M) office at noon and proceeded to Rabindra Chowmuhani, where demonstrators assembled. The area echoed with slogans of “Save the Country, Save Democracy.” An effigy of Gyanesh Kumar was burnt at the gathering. Pabitra Kar, all-India joint secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha, was among those who addressed the protesters.

In Belonia subdivision, a protest march began in front of the CPI(M) office and passed through various streets of the town before culminating in a public meeting. Veteran farmers’ leader Narayan Kar and others addressed the gathering.

In Amarpur subdivision, protesters staged a two-hour sit-in under the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhodo” (Vote Thieves, Quit Power). Workers, farmers, jhum cultivators and agricultural workers participated alongside students and youths. The programme was organised to defend democratic rights in the country. Parimal Debnath, Gomati district secretary of the CPI(M), was among those who addressed the gathering.

In Longtharai Valley subdivision, a rally demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation culminated in a protest gathering at Manughat market. CPI(M) state committee member Nirod Saha and other leaders addressed the meeting.

In Kailashahar subdivision, a protest march and public meeting were organised to defend the Constitution and democracy. In the evening, following a call by workers’ and farmers’ organisations, the rally began in front of the CPI(M) subdivision office. After passing through various streets, it culminated in a meeting in front of the Municipal Council office. CPI(M) state committee member Bishwarup Goswami addressed the gathering.

A protest march and street-corner meeting were also held in Panisagar subdivision. The rally started in front of the CPI(M) subdivision office, passed through various streets and concluded with a public meeting. CPI(M) state committee member Ajit Das addressed the gathering.

Meanwhile, a separate protest programme was organised in Agartala by the All India Youth Federation (AIYF), All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW). Students, youths and women carried flags and banners, demanding the resignation of the CEC. An effigy of Gyanesh Kumar was also burnt during this programme.

Across various subdivisions of Tripura, the protests held on the same day centred on the demand to safeguard democracy, the Constitution and voting rights. (END)