Delhi Police Detain Nearly 1,000 Over Jantar Mantar Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Nearly 1,000 people were detained across Delhi on Friday as police and security forces prevented student organisations and political groups from gathering at Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said around 750 people were detained from areas surrounding Jantar Mantar, while another 400 were detained from other parts of Delhi. Around 200 people were also placed under house arrest in the morning.

Those detained from the streets were taken in Delhi Police buses to different police stations.

Among those detained were former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi, All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora and Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav. AAP leaders, civil society activists, left-backed student organisation members and Congress youth wing workers were also detained.

Why Was The Protest Called?

The protest was scheduled for 11am at Jantar Mantar and was called by the AAP, AISA, Students’ Federation of India (SFI), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and other student and youth groups.

The organisers were demanding Kumar’s resignation, alleging irregularities in the SIR exercise and large-scale deletion of voters from electoral rolls.

Police had said beforehand that no permission had been granted for the gathering. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were also in force across New Delhi district.

The restrictions barred public gatherings of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing and dharnas without prior written permission. Police also prohibited activities including slogan shouting, speeches and carrying banners, placards, sticks and other objects.

Authorities said the measures were imposed to maintain public order, ensure safety and facilitate traffic movement.

Jantar Mantar Heavily Barricaded

Jantar Mantar and roads leading to the protest site were heavily barricaded from Friday morning. Barricades were placed on routes from Janpath market as well as the rear access near Kerala House.

Police and Rapid Action Force personnel, along with a riot-control vehicle, were deployed in the area, while entry to the protest site was blocked.

The restrictions extended beyond Jantar Mantar. Internet services were suspended in parts of central Delhi, while entry and exit gates at 12 metro stations were closed, according to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

The affected stations included Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Seva Teerth and Lok Kalyan Marg. The stations were reopened around 8.20pm, according to a DMRC announcement.

Protesters Gather At Other Locations

Unable to reach Jantar Mantar, protesters held smaller demonstrations at different locations.

NSUI members gathered near the Congress headquarters on Raisina Road, while AISA activists marched from Patel Chowk metro station.

“It took us around three hours to figure out how to reach Jantar Mantar. Finally, we decided to gather at Patel Chowk metro station and march for at least a few minutes,” AISA activist and former JNU Students’ Union president N Sai Balaji said.

He alleged that the restrictions had resulted in demonstrations spreading to different parts of Delhi, including streets and police stations where protesters had been detained.

AISA national president Neha Bora said in a video posted on X: “How many times will the Delhi police detain us? We will come again to protest.”

Metro Closures Disrupt Commuters

The security measures also affected commuters across central Delhi.

Entry and exit gates at stations including Mandi House, Rajiv Chowk, Barakhamba and Patel Chowk were closed for several hours. Some commuters said they had not received sufficient advance information about the restrictions.

Robin Bhatnagar, 69, said he had been forced to move between multiple closed metro stations while trying to reach Vaishali.

“I first went to Barakhamba metro station, police told me to go to another station as that one was closed, I came to Mandi House, and this is also closed. I can’t book a cab, that’s also frustrating,” he said.

He said such advisories should have been issued at least a day in advance.

Protesters Report Difficulties

Protesters also said the restrictions made it difficult to coordinate and reach the planned demonstration.

Ishita Srivastava, 21, said she was unable to share her location with her parents because of the internet shutdown.

“Every time I asked a police personnel where Jantar Mantar was, they told me to go back home,” she said.

At Patel Chowk, 27-year-old Prashant Rawat, who is preparing for competitive examinations, said he had come to express his dissent.

“I am only here to register my dissent and want the government to listen to us,” he said.

A 21-year-old Jamia Millia Islamia student said she was unable to contact several friends who had planned to attend the protest from different parts of Delhi.

Police also said they were examining an alleged incident involving a policeman who was reportedly seen punching a protester in a purported video clip.

Security Tightened At Delhi Borders

Security personnel were also deployed at Delhi’s borders amid concerns over the planned demonstrations.

On the DND Flyway, police placed barricades on the carriageway towards south Delhi from Noida and Mayur Vihar. Vehicles were subjected to random checks, with drivers and passengers asked for details including their residential addresses and destinations.

Meanwhile, the protests and detentions remained focused on the organisers’ allegations concerning the electoral-roll revision, while authorities maintained that the restrictions were necessary for public safety and the maintenance of public order.