On Sunday, October 4, 2026, a protest march in Mumbai drew considerable attention as it was led by Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Raj Thackeray, head of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The march commenced in South Mumbai, starting near Richardson & Cruddas in Byculla and culminating at the BMC headquarters located at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). This gathering was positioned as a direct confrontation with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding the handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls [1].

Raj Thackeray articulated his strong demands during the protest, specifically calling for the complete abolition of the SIR process. Furthermore, he advocated for a shift away from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), urging to conduct elections solely through traditional ballot papers. His remarks brought to light concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process, underlining a significant push for reform [2].

The protest not only reflected the Thackerays' positions but also garnered support from other political factions. Reports highlighted the participation of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), indicating a broader opposition against the Election Commission's actions. Participants were notably instructed to refrain from carrying party flags, instead opting for India's national tricolour, which symbolized unity among various groups opposed to the current electoral processes [3].

The backdrop of this protest is steeped in increasing scrutiny surrounding the SIR. On September 29, 2026, the Election Commission of India ordered a special drive to enroll voters who had been left out of the electoral rolls following the SIR completion in various states and Union Territories. This decision has provoked significant concern, as there have been reports of extensive deletions from draft electoral rolls, alongside internal objections from election commissioners regarding amendments made during this process [4].

It's important to note that Raj Thackeray's call to scrap the SIR process does not equate to a legal challenge to its validity. Instead, Thackeray's demands seemed to focus more on a political critique of the SIR exercise rather than framing it as an illegitimate action. The legality of the SIR remains contested in a political arena, with no definitive judicial finding substantiating such claims against the Commission’s operations [2].

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Researched and edited with AI assistance.

Featured image: AI-generated representative image.