The Anti-SIR protest in Delhi has triggered a political controversy after Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh questioned the deployment of a large number of police and paramilitary personnel to manage demonstrations in the national capital. Comparing the security arrangements with the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur, Ghosh argued that the Centre should have shown similar urgency in addressing the violence in the northeastern state.
His remarks, made on October 17, 2026, came amid growing opposition protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and heightened security measures across central Delhi.
Kunal Ghosh Questions Heavy Security Deployment
Kunal Ghosh, a TMC legislator aligned with the faction led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, criticised the government’s response to young protesters demanding accountability over the electoral roll revision exercise.
Ghosh argued that deploying extensive police and paramilitary forces against demonstrators was not an adequate response to their concerns. Instead, he said, the government should engage with young people and address the questions they were raising.
He maintained that the authorities should focus on convincing protesters through explanations rather than relying primarily on security measures to manage political dissent.
Questioning the deployment, Ghosh said the same level of security should have been sent to Manipur when the state was facing serious ethnic violence. He suggested that a timely and adequate response could have helped address the crisis more effectively.
His comments brought the continuing situation in Manipur into the national political debate surrounding the demonstrations in Delhi.
Anti-SIR Protest in Delhi Triggers Political Row
The demonstrations have been organised amid allegations that the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has led to arbitrary deletions of voters’ names.
Opposition parties and youth groups have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the revision process. They have raised concerns about the potential impact of voter deletions on electoral participation and democratic representation.
The Election Commission’s exercise has become a major point of confrontation between opposition parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Opposition leaders have questioned the process, while the BJP has accused them of politicising the issue and attempting to create unrest.
The dispute has extended beyond electoral administration, with demonstrations highlighting wider concerns about transparency, accountability and the right to protest.
Heavy Police Presence in Central Delhi
Security arrangements were significantly strengthened ahead of the demonstrations, particularly around Connaught Place and other locations in central Delhi.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had called for a ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march on October 16. The demonstration was intended to intensify demands for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
Police detained CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and student leader Neha Bora ahead of or during the protest. Demonstrators subsequently gathered at Connaught Place and other locations despite restrictions and the heavy deployment of security personnel.
The security measures reflected the authorities’ concerns about crowd management and the possibility of clashes during the demonstrations. However, the scale of the deployment also became a political issue, with opposition leaders questioning whether such extensive arrangements were justified against protesters raising electoral concerns.
Ghosh’s criticism added to the debate over how authorities should balance public order with the democratic right to peaceful dissent.
Manipur Conflict Remains a Major Concern
Ghosh’s comparison drew attention to the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur, which erupted in May 2023 between the valley-based Meitei community and the hill-based Kuki community.
The violence has claimed at least 306 lives, while several people have remained missing. The state has also witnessed deadly clashes involving Kuki and Naga groups since February 2026, adding to concerns about security and stability in the region. <Cite refs={[“turn890219search0″,”turn890219search1”]}/>
By invoking Manipur, the TMC leader questioned the government’s priorities in deploying security forces. His argument was that resources used to control demonstrations in Delhi could have been directed towards addressing prolonged violence and protecting communities affected by conflict.
The remarks also highlighted the political sensitivity surrounding the Centre’s handling of the Manipur crisis, which has remained an important issue in debates over law and order, rehabilitation and the restoration of peace.
Rajnath Singh’s Remarks on Opposition Protests
Ghosh’s criticism followed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s accusation that opposition parties were attempting to bring about a regime change similar to developments in Bangladesh and were using the energy of young people to spread what he described as anarchy.
Responding to the allegation, Ghosh rejected the suggestion that questioning the government amounted to supporting disorder. He argued that elected leaders and authorities had a responsibility to engage with younger generations and answer their concerns.
The exchange reflects the wider political disagreement over the ongoing demonstrations, with the opposition presenting them as a campaign for electoral accountability and the BJP accusing its opponents of politicising the issue.
The debate has also raised questions about the appropriate response to public demonstrations, particularly when protesters challenge the functioning of constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission.
Electoral Transparency and the Right to Protest
The controversy surrounding the Anti-SIR protest in Delhi highlights the challenge of maintaining public order while protecting the right to peaceful political expression.
For protesters, the central issue is whether the electoral roll revision process has been conducted fairly and transparently. For the authorities, the immediate concern has been preventing disturbances and managing gatherings in sensitive areas of the capital.
The allegations surrounding voter deletions remain contested, and the political disagreement has intensified calls for greater scrutiny of the revision process.
As the dispute continues, the government’s handling of both electoral concerns and security challenges is likely to remain under opposition scrutiny. Ghosh’s remarks have added another dimension to that debate by linking the deployment of security personnel in Delhi with the unresolved violence in Manipur.
Major Warning: Bodo Language Removal Could Rekindle Bodoland Statehood Demand, Says ABSU