Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], the Communist Party of India (CPI), and their student and youth organisations were active on Friday, 16 October 2026, in a march in New Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. CPI(M) also issued a statement on reservation rights for people from historically disadvantaged castes who convert to other religions.
CPI(M), CPI and their student organisations active in protests across India
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), associated with CPI(M), and the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), associated with CPI, joined the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) in a flag-waving march towards Connaught Place. SFI General Secretary Srijan Bhattacharyya, President Adarsh M Saji, Joint Secretary Aishe Ghosh, DYFI General Secretary Himaghnaraj Bhattacharyya, President AA Rahim MP, Central Secretariat member Jaick C Thomas, AISF President Viraaj Devang, AIYF General Secretary Sukhjinder Mahesari, President Raushan Kumar Sinha, Left MPs John Brittas, V Sivadasan and Sandosh Kumar, CPI(M) Central Committee member Vikram Singh and CPI Delhi State Secretary Dinesh Varshney took part in the rally.
The march took place amid police restrictions and a heightened police presence. Although authorities sought to prevent demonstrators from reaching Central Park in Connaught Place, protesters reached the area and continued their march. SFI described the action as a march to “reclaim democracy” and called for the cancellation of the SIR process.
The organisations were continuing a campaign against the electoral-roll revision, which opposition parties say risks removing eligible voters’ names. They have demanded Kumar’s resignation or removal and the withdrawal of the SIR process. These are the protesters’ allegations and demands; the Election Commission and the government have disputed claims that the revision is politically manipulated.
There was a joint SFI–DYFI protest in Patna, Bihar, on 16 October, demanding Kumar’s resignation. The organisation said police attacked peaceful demonstrators and detained activists.
CPI(M) challenges Supreme Court ruling on reservation
In a separate development, CPI(M)’s Polit Bureau issued a statement on 16 October expressing concern over a Supreme Court judgment concerning reservation benefits for people from backward castes who convert from Hinduism to another religion.
The party argued that conversion does not automatically end caste discrimination or the social and economic disadvantages associated with it. It called on the central government to take constitutional measures to ensure that Dalit and backward-class converts retain access to affirmative-action benefits regardless of religious affiliation. CPI(M) also reiterated its demand to remove the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations.
CPI backs the march
CPI also supported the joint SFI–DYFI–AISF–AIYF march. Its message defended the right to carry the national flag and protest, stating that waving the tricolour should not be treated as a crime. CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar said in a video carried by ANI that the movement would intensify and continue to press for Kumar’s resignation.