A protester being arrested by the Chennai police on Saturday
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
More than 100 cadres of the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) were arrested by Chennai police on Saturday (October 10, 2026) while attempting to take out a procession to the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The members had gathered to march to the Secretariat and lay siege to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu. Led by AIYF State secretary K. Bharathi and AISF State president K. Ibrahim, the protesters assembled near the Periyar statue on Anna Salai and proceeded along Sivananda Salai. The police stopped them and prevented them from moving further.
The protesters accused the CEC of orchestrating “vote theft” and called for criminal proceedings and other action against him. They also raised slogans demanding his removal and condemning the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for allegedly supporting those accused of stealing votes. “Our vote, our right!” and “Do not steal our right to vote!” were among the slogans raised by the protesters.
The police forcibly bundled the protesters into vehicles despite their resistance and heated arguments. They were detained at a community hall.
During the scuffle, Kavin, a protester from Mylapore, sustained a head injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Over 40 detained in Besant Nagar
Meanwhile, a gathering of about 40 youngsters from different walks of life, including advocate Ra. Shhiva and social activists Sachin George and Radhika Ganesh, protested at Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, urging the revocation of the provision of the law that gives “life-long immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner” and the halting of the SIR exercise. They demanded the resignation of the CEC.
The police spoke with the protesters, but the talks failed to resolve the situation. The police said the group had not secured permission to stage a demonstration at the beach.
When the protesters declined to leave, the police detained them. Arguments and scuffles broke out as officers tried to clear the area. Some protesters lay on the ground and continued chanting before being taken to the Urur Kuppam Corporation Community Hall.
Later, DMK leaders A. Raja, Ma. Subramanian, and Thamizhachi Thangapandian, along with the party supporters, reached the hall and sat in dharna, demanding the immediate release of protesters. The protesters were released by the police around 12 noon.
Published – October 10, 2026 01:08 pm IST