LONDON (Web Desk) - Hundreds of Indian students gathered at Parliament Square in the British capital on Saturday to protest against India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a controversial revision of electoral rolls.
The demonstration, organised by the Indian Overseas Congress Youth wing and supported by UK-based Indian students’ groups and other diaspora organisations, featured calls to end “vote theft” and protect India’s democratic institutions.
HAPPENING NOW - Indian students stage protest against Modi government in London https://t.co/flTzXYstzS
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) October 17, 2026Activist Dhruv Rathee addressed the gathering as the keynote speaker at the “Stop Vote Chori” (Stop Vote Theft) protest.
He called for the chief election commissioner to be replaced through a process agreed upon by the government and the leader of the opposition.
“It is important to spread the message against ‘vote chori’ in our country,” Rathee said in Hindi. “These protests will stop the moment the Chief Election Commissioner is replaced by a candidate that is chosen in agreement between the government and the Leader of the Opposition.”
Irony Indians wave Tiranga freely in LONDON but arrested in India! Even 1st season villain is supporting the protest to save democracy! Vote Chor protest reached London. Democracy dead in India, alive in Britain! #LondonProtest #VoteChor https://t.co/YOPwss0bjI
— Sananda Banik (@Sbwritesco) October 17, 2026The demonstration was organised by the Indian Overseas Congress Youth wing, with support from diaspora platforms including Save Democracy, the UK chapter of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the South Asia Solidarity Group.
The London protest was part of a wider wave of demonstrations in India over the revision of electoral rolls and demands for Kumar’s resignation.