Protests over election issues, women’s safety and campus concerns were reported across the country between September 26 and October 5. Data from ACLED on demonstrations that drew crowds of more than 100 people show protest activity spanning multiple states, with September 28 accounting for the highest number of protests recorded during the 10-day period.
Ahead of the planned demonstration, authorities have announced restrictions, including the closure of liquor shops and some metro stations, while rail movement and local accommodation providers are also reportedly under heightened watch as officials prepare for large crowds. The period began with demonstrations linked to the controversy surrounding the Election Commission. Congress and affiliated student groups and other organisations staged protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. These protests accounted for a significant share of the nationwide activity recorded during the period. This was the highest participation recorded by any group.
Congress Featured Most Protests Among the groups involved, Congress and its affiliated student groups featured in 36 of the 60 protests analysed. The presence of these issues alongside political protests highlights how multiple concerns, ranging from institutional accountability to public safety, shaped protest activity during the 10-day period. signs suggest that public mobilisation is far from over While the number of protests captured in this dataset ends on October 5. CJP has called for another major protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 10.
