Indians protest election chief as police probe harassment claims

Indians protested against Election Commission chief Gyanesh Kumar for a third day on Sunday, demanding his resignation over a voter-roll revision, while Delhi police launched an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against officers at Saturday's New Delhi protests.

Why are Indians protesting against the election chief?

Protests began on Friday after critics alleged wrongdoing by the Election Commission of India (ECI) during a large-scale voter-roll revision that has removed millions of names from the lists. Demonstrators want chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign. The commission has rejected the allegations, and Kumar has not commented.

What happened at the Mumbai protest?

Thousands marched in Mumbai on Sunday, waving Indian flags and demanding that Kumar step down. Protesters have included supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which began in May as a satirical online movement and succeeded in its campaign to oust the then education minister.

"Mumbai is out on the streets again for free and fair elections!" CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke said in a social media post on Sunday. "Solidarity with all the protestors," he added. "All Indians need to come together. It's now or never!"

What are the sexual harassment allegations against Delhi police?

The allegations were made after police detained scores of protesters around the government-designated protest site of Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. "Allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers," Delhi police said in a statement, promising "a fair and impartial enquiry".

In a video posted on social media, a complainant said a police officer pushed and touched her "inappropriately". A few dozen activists, including CJP supporters, gathered outside a police station on Sunday to demand action. CJP activist Saurav Das said in a post that "a delegation with the victim is inside the police station".

Dipke said the accused officer "must be arrested immediately".

What happens next in the protests against the election commission?

Opposition politicians have accused the ECI of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). They have said they will march to the Election Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday and hold "Save Democracy" rallies countrywide afterwards.

The CJP has called for a "massive mobilization of young Indians" in New Delhi on October 10.