From New York to Atlanta, Indian Americans Mobilize Against Mass Voter Roll Deletions in India; Indian American Muslim Council & Hindus for Human Rights Coordinating

From New York to Atlanta, Indian Americans Mobilize Against Mass Voter Roll Deletions in India; Indian American Muslim Council & Hindus for Human Rights Coordinating

Protests in New York, Washington, Fremont and Atlanta join a growing movement challenging mass voter deletions and demanding electoral accountability in India

[October 8, 2026] NEW YORK, NY — Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) will coordinate protests in New York City, Washington, DC, Fremont, California, and Atlanta, Georgia, from October 9 through October 11, joining a growing movement demanding electoral accountability in India and an end to the mass removal of voters through the country’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The U.S. demonstrations come as large protests continue across India. More than 130 million names have been removed from draft electoral rolls during the SIR process, according to Election Commission data reported by Indian media, prompting widespread concern about whether eligible voters will be able to participate in future elections. The Election Commission says the revision is intended to remove duplicate, deceased and otherwise ineligible entries and has established procedures for eligible voters to be restored to the rolls. Critics argue that the scale of the deletions and the burden placed on voters to prove their eligibility threaten the voting rights of millions, particularly people from poorer and marginalized communities. 

Protests have intensified across India this week, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, greater transparency around the voter-roll revision and restoration of eligible voters who have been removed. Thousands joined a demonstration in Bengaluru this week as part of the expanding movement. 

Hindus for Human Rights is organizing demonstrations across the United States in solidarity with those defending the right to vote and protest in India. The Bay Area and Atlanta demonstrations are being coordinated in partnership with the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC).

NEW YORK CITY

Friday, October 9 | 5:30 PM ET
Gandhi Statue, Union Square, New York City

New Yorkers will gather at the Gandhi statue in Union Square in defense of electoral accountability, democratic rights and women’s safety and equality. The protest calls for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and stands with the growing movement in India demanding accountability over the SIR process. 

BAY AREA

Saturday, October 10 | 11:30 AM PT
Unity Sculpture, corner of Stevenson Blvd. & Paseo Padre Parkway
Next to Fremont Main Library, Fremont, CA 94538

The Bay Area demonstration, co-coordinated by Hindus for Human Rights and the Indian American Muslim Council, will call for the Special Intensive Revision to be halted and for accountability over mass voter deletions.

WASHINGTON, DC

October 11 | 5:00 PM ET
Gandhi Statue in front of the Embassy of India, Washington, DC

Demonstrators will gather in solidarity with protesters across India demanding electoral accountability, the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, and justice and safety for India’s women.

ATLANTA

Sunday, October 11 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

The Atlanta rally, organized in partnership by Hindus for Human Rights and the Indian American Muslim Council, will focus on the SIR voter deletions and the fundamental democratic principle that every eligible citizen must have an equal right to vote.

The demonstrations form part of a rapidly widening response to the SIR controversy. The Election Commission has ordered a special enrollment drive for voters left out of the rolls following the removal of approximately 130 million names from draft lists in states and territories where the revision has been completed.

Hindus for Human Rights believes that protecting democracy requires protecting the vote itself. These gatherings will stand with Indians demanding transparent electoral institutions, meaningful mechanisms for restoring eligible voters, freedom to protest, and an electoral system in which every eligible citizen can participate without discrimination.

Members of Hindus for Human Rights are available for interviews on the protests, the growing Indian diaspora response and the implications of the SIR controversy for Indian democracy.