Delhi Police detained more than 500 protesters at and around Jantar Mantar on Friday as political parties and student groups demonstrated against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Jantar Mantar protest brought together AAP leaders, student organisations and other activists demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The allegations have been raised by the protesters, while the Election Commission has maintained that the revision process aims to address issues such as duplicate and ineligible entries.
AAP Leaders Among Those Detained
Delhi Police detained more than 500 protesters, including AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Atishi and Sanjay Singh, during the demonstrations.
Members of student organisations, including AISA, SFI and DYFI, also attempted to reach the protest site. Police stopped several groups near Ashoka Road and other parts of central Delhi.
The protests were held despite police denying permission for the gathering. Authorities imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in New Delhi.
New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma said demonstrations, marches and similar activities were not permitted under the restrictions and appealed to people to cooperate with the police.
Protesters Raise SIR Concerns
The protesters have accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the SIR exercise and alleged that eligible voters could lose their names from electoral rolls.
The Election Commission, however, has said the exercise is intended to identify and remove duplicate or ineligible entries. The claims surrounding the process remain a subject of political and public debate.
The demonstrations involved several political and student groups, with speakers calling for changes to the electoral-roll revision process and demanding Kumar’s resignation.
CJP Plans Mumbai Protest
The protests also extended to Mumbai, where Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke planned a demonstration at Shivaji Park demanding Kumar’s resignation.
Reports said Mumbai Police had not granted permission for the proposed protest. Despite the lack of permission, CJP announced its planned Jail Bharo Andolan at Shivaji Park, prompting heightened security around the area.
The CJP has also called for greater transparency in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and changes to the electoral-roll revision process.
Security Tightened in Delhi
Security was stepped up around Jantar Mantar, with police and paramilitary personnel deployed and barricades placed on roads leading to the protest site.
Delhi Metro also restricted entry and exit at several stations around central Delhi as authorities attempted to manage movement around the demonstration. Interchange facilities remained available at select stations.
5 Key Takeaways
- More than 500 protesters were detained during demonstrations at and around Jantar Mantar.
- AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Atishi and Sanjay Singh were among those detained.
- AISA, SFI, DYFI and other groups joined protests demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Protesters raised allegations about irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
- CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke planned a separate protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park despite reports that police had not granted permission.
