Protests in Delhi, Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur over SIR, demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation

The political temperature has risen in Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur and Nashik over the SIR and the demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, had announced a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. It has emerged that he was detained at the airport on reaching Delhi.

Following these developments, the opposition parties have taken an aggressive stance. The Congress is reported to have begun preparations for a nationwide agitation.

According to the information available, responsibility for the planned protest has passed to Ajinkya Shinde after Abhijit Dipke's detention. It has been claimed that Delhi Police have also detained some opposition leaders.

Meanwhile, the Congress has begun preparations to mount a major agitation against the Union government. Legislators, MPs and senior leaders of the party from all states have reportedly been directed to be present in Delhi. The party leadership has said that all elected representatives should reach Delhi by tomorrow evening. State presidents from different states have also been called to Delhi. The agitation is therefore likely to intensify, with the Congress and the parties of the INDIA bloc involved.

A call had been given for a protest at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. When protesters began to gather, the police started taking action in different areas. Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, who was on his way to the protest, was detained at D.N. Nagar police station in Andheri West.

Shiv Sena and Congress workers then gathered outside the police station. MP Sanjay Raut and MLA Aaditya Thackeray also reached the police station. Aaditya Thackeray had warned that he would not leave the police station until Tushar Gandhi was released.

In Nashik, a march was taken out from Ashok Stambh to the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Workers of various organisations and political parties took part. The police are reported to have detained some of the protesters. A protest was also held in Nagpur demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

The confrontation that began over the SIR issue could intensify in the coming days.