India’s streets are again becoming an arena of political contestation. From student-led demonstrations to opposition marches against the Election Commission of India (ECI), the recent wave of protests has brought an uncomfortable question to the centre of Indian politics: can a government that commands electoral power, now in its third consecutive term, also ensure that dissent remains an integral part of democracy? The developments of October 2026 suggest that the answer will depend not merely on the strategic power of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but also on the credibility of the opposition and the resilience of democratic institutions.The immediate controversy revolves around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and allegations that eligible voters have been removed from the voters’ list. The Election Commission maintains that the exercise aims to eliminate duplicate, deceased and ineligible entries. The BJP has rejected accusations of electoral manipulation, arguing that the opposition is politicising an administrative process. Opposition leaders contend that the exclusion of eligible citizens threatens the principle of universal suffrage. These claims question the legitimacy of the electoral process and may impact the upcoming Uttar Pradesh state election in 2027. The extraordinary concentration of demonstrations indicates that public dissatisfaction has moved beyond isolated political gatherings. It does not establish that the........

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