IYC Burns Ravan Effigy With Gyanesh Kumar’s Face, Demands His Resignation

New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress (ITC) on Monday burnt an effigy of Ravan bearing the face of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar here, demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral processes and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.

The protest featured a stage decorated with vibrant posters and slogans targeting the Election Commission (EC); one read "Vote Chori ki Rasleela" -- targeting the poll panel's handling of the SIR exercise.

The effigy, depicting the CEC as Ravan, was burnt as the Congress youth wing stepped up its campaign seeking the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.

"We demand immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar because serious questions have been raised about the credibility, transparency and impartiality of electoral institutions," IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib said ahead of the symbolic 'Ravan Dahan' (burning of Ravan).

Chib said democracy is not merely about casting a vote on election day but also about holding those in power accountable.

The protest came a day after the IYC launched a digital campaign inviting citizens to identify what it described as the "10 heads of India's Ravan", drawing on the symbolism of Dussehra. The campaign, titled 'Digital Ravan Dahan', invites people to register their views through its website, 'chalojantarmantar.com'.

The initiative is scheduled to culminate in a virtual Ravan Dahan on Tuesday at 7.30 pm, the organisation said.

Chib said the campaign sought to provide citizens a platform to voice concerns over electoral transparency and accountability of constitutional institutions.

The IYC has been holding protests demanding Kumar's resignation amid allegations of irregularities regarding the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR exercise. Opposition parties have questioned the revision process and raised concerns over its implications.

Delhi Youth Congress president Akshay Lakra, too, said the organisation would continue to question the functioning and credibility of the Election Commission.