# Protests are about democracy, not just one resignation

> CPI(M) MP John Brittas says the fight against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar extends to reclaiming democratic space across India.
- Title: Protests are about democracy, not just one resignation
- Summary: CPI(M) MP John Brittas says the fight against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar extends to reclaiming democratic space across India. CPI(M) MP John…
- Keywords: john brittas, gyanesh kumar, chief election commissioner, cpim, protests, democratic space, india, elections, news, politics, democracy, just
- Source: The Hindu — https://thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/current-struggle-not-merely-limited-to-resignation-gyanesh-kumar-it-is-also-a-fight-to-regain-democratic-space-cpim-mp-john-brittas/article71619246.ece
- Author: S.R. Praveen
- Published: 2026-10-24T09:30:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: john brittas, gyanesh kumar, chief election commissioner, cpim, protests, democratic space, india, elections, news, politics
## Protests extend beyond one resignation
Communist Party of India (Marxist) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas says ongoing protests across the country seek more than Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over vote theft allegations.
## The real fight is for democracy itself
Brittas told The Hindu in Thiruvananthapuram on October twenty-third, twenty twenty-six that the protests aim to regain democratic space. Unless there is democratic process or free and fair elections, everything becomes redundant.

> Unless there is democratic process or free and fair elections, everything becomes redundant.
## All sections of society now feel the impact
Brittas said every section of society is feeling the pinch as progressive ideals are being reversed. Even those who might have voted for the BJP are coming out in large numbers to support the protest.

> Now people have begun saying enough is enough.
## Government escalates repression against protesters
The Union government resorted to more repressive tactics against the second round of protests because BJP leaders feel that if they buckle once more, it would be a disaster with far reaching consequences.
## Key takeaway

CPI(M) MP John Brittas says protests over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation demand represent a broader fight to restore democratic freedoms and fair elections.