India court orders release of detained protesters as protests continue over election changes.

India’s highest court has ordered the release of thousands of detained demonstrators, setting the stage for a second day of protests against the chief election commissioner’s recent changes to voter rolls. Authorities had detained crowds across the capital following a crackdown that swept up opposition politicians and youth activists. The court labeled the detentions illegal and mandated their release on Sunday.

Protesters are focused on the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They argue that his office oversaw a revision of voter lists that unfairly advantages the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The changes removed millions of names from official rolls, sparking widespread concern over the integrity of upcoming elections.

Community groups and election observers point to a lack of transparency in the deletion process. Technical errors further complicated the revisions, leading to the removal of millions of voters, including many Muslims. Demonstrators say the flawed system systematically targets marginalized communities.

Public attention intensified after a recent report showed internal disagreement within the election authority. An investigation found that two other commissioners on the three-member panel objected to several of Kumar’s choices. Under constitutional rules, the commission requires a majority vote to approve major decisions.

Abhijeet Dipke, who leads the Cockroach Janta Party, voiced the movement’s frustration after his own release. “Modi, as PM, is an embarrassment to India. Never has this country seen a bigger coward and bully,” he wrote online. The statement captures the growing political pressure as the protests continue to draw supporters from across the country.