Regime Change Or Democratic Dissent? BJP And Opposition Clash On Anti-CEC Protests

What began as protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation has escalated into a wider debate over regime change, democratic dissent and alleged foreign influence. NCP (Sharad Pawar) spokesperson Anish Gawande argues that the protests are about accountability and constitutional rights, while Supreme Court advocate Jayanand Dehadrai alleges a coordinated attempt to destabilise the elected government, pointing to references to Bangladesh and calls for regime change. The two clash over the meaning of democratic protest, allegations of foreign funding, police action against demonstrators and whether the government should face a midterm election to test public sentiment.