Around 22 female students affiliated with the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) were reportedly detained by Madhya Pradesh police at Itarsi while travelling from Pune to Delhi to participate in protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The students were travelling aboard the Goa Express when police reportedly stopped them at Itarsi railway station. They were subsequently taken to a hotel, according to accounts of the incident.
Students Were Heading to Delhi for Protest
The students were reportedly travelling to the national capital to join demonstrations against the Election Commission and its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protests have been organised by student groups and other organisations demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in voter-list revision and calling for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police Action Raises Questions
According to accounts shared about the incident, police personnel detained the students while they were still travelling by train. The students were allegedly prevented from continuing their journey to Delhi.
The circumstances surrounding the detention, including the legal grounds for the police action and whether the students were formally arrested or temporarily held, require official clarification.
Protests Against the Election Commission Continue
The reported detention comes amid growing demonstrations against the Election Commission’s voter-list revision exercise. Protesters have accused the authorities of excluding eligible voters and demanded changes to the process. These allegations remain contested.
The demand for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation has also featured prominently in recent opposition-led demonstrations in several parts of the country.
Questions Over Students’ Right to Protest
The incident has raised concerns over the freedom of students to travel and participate in peaceful political demonstrations. Further details are needed to establish why the students were stopped and whether they were subsequently released.
Around 22 students were reportedly on their way to Delhi to protest against the Election Commission. Their detention at Itarsi has now raised fresh questions about police action against demonstrators.