Delhi Police Detain 1,000 in Jantar Mantar Protest

Delhi Police detained nearly 1,000 people, including political leaders, student activists and civil society members, during a protest near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters were demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged mass deletion of voters. Several detainees were later released.

Protesters Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

The demonstration was organised by political parties, student organisations and youth groups seeking accountability over the electoral-roll revision process. Protesters alleged that the SIR exercise had resulted in the deletion of large numbers of voters and raised concerns about whether eligible citizens could be affected by changes to the electoral rolls.

The groups participating in the mobilisation included the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), All India Students' Association (AISA), Students' Federation of India (SFI), National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Indian Youth Congress and other student and civil society organisations. Their primary demand was the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

The protest had been planned around Jantar Mantar, a traditional location for demonstrations in the national capital. However, police said permission had not been granted for the gathering, leading authorities to put extensive security arrangements in place.

Nearly 1,000 People Detained Across Delhi

According to police-related information reported by news agencies, nearly 1,000 people were detained during the day's action. Police initially reported more than 700 detentions from Jantar Mantar and nearby areas, with the figure later rising as protesters were stopped at different locations across Delhi.

Several prominent political figures and activists were among those detained. The list included AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, Sanjay Singh, Kuldeep Kumar, Jarnail Singh and Sanjeev Jha, along with AISA national president Neha Bora, civil society activist Yogendra Yadav, RJD MP Manoj Jha and representatives of student and youth organisations.

Detainees were taken to different police stations in Delhi. Some were subsequently released at different times following their detention.

Heavy Security Deployment in Central Delhi

Authorities deployed a large security contingent across the Lutyens' zone and surrounding areas. Around 5,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed, with more than 10 companies of paramilitary forces brought in as part of the arrangements.

Barricades were installed around Jantar Mantar and on several roads leading towards the protest site. Police also monitored sensitive locations and used additional personnel when groups of protesters gathered.

People attempting to approach the designated protest location were stopped at several points. Police detained protesters from areas including the vicinity of Kerala House and the Ashoka Road roundabout and transported them to different police stations.

The security measures reflected authorities' concerns about a potentially large gathering in central Delhi. Police sources had anticipated thousands of people could attempt to assemble around Jantar Mantar.

Protesters Stopped at Multiple Locations

With direct access to Jantar Mantar restricted, groups of protesters attempted to gather or demonstrate at other locations in central Delhi.

Reports said protesters encountered barricades around areas including Ashoka Road and Firoz Shah Road. Some groups attempted to move through the restrictions, while police prevented them from proceeding towards Jantar Mantar.

Student organisations also organised smaller demonstrations after finding it difficult to reach the main protest location. AISA activists, for example, gathered around Patel Chowk and attempted to move towards the protest site.

The day's events therefore unfolded across several parts of central Delhi rather than being confined to Jantar Mantar itself.

Political Leaders and Student Groups Among Detainees

The protest brought together opposition political figures and organisations from different sections of the student and civil society space.

AAP leaders were among those detained at different locations. Student organisations including AISA, SFI and NSUI also participated in the mobilisation, with activists calling attention to what they described as concerns surrounding the electoral-roll revision exercise.

The presence of political leaders and student activists gave the protest wider visibility, while the police action became a major part of the day's developments.

Some detainees were transported by buses to police stations. According to reports, police continued detaining people as groups attempted to assemble despite restrictions on the demonstration.

Restrictions Imposed Ahead of the Demonstration

Police had made it clear that permission for the proposed protest had not been granted. Prohibitory orders were also imposed in the New Delhi district, restricting unauthorised gatherings and demonstrations.

The restrictions were aimed at preventing a large gathering in an area considered particularly sensitive because of its location in central Delhi.

Security arrangements extended beyond the immediate Jantar Mantar area, with police personnel deployed around roads, intersections and other locations from which protesters could approach the protest site.

The authorities' approach was focused on preventing large groups from reaching and assembling at Jantar Mantar rather than allowing the planned demonstration to proceed.

Allegations Over Special Intensive Revision

At the centre of the protest was the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, commonly referred to as SIR. Protesters alleged that irregularities in the process could lead to eligible voters being removed from electoral rolls.

The issue has generated political controversy, with opposition parties and civil society groups demanding greater accountability and transparency in the revision exercise.

The protesters used the Jantar Mantar demonstration to demand action against the Election Commission leadership and specifically called for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. These allegations are the protesters' claims and have been presented as part of the political dispute surrounding the electoral-roll revision process.

Minor Scuffles Reported During Police Action

The large-scale security operation also led to minor confrontations at some locations as police stopped groups attempting to move through barricades. Police sources said some personnel suffered minor injuries during the incidents.

Police also recorded the events at protest locations, with officials directing personnel to preserve video footage of the demonstrations and the subsequent detentions.

The situation remained closely monitored as authorities worked to prevent further large gatherings around Jantar Mantar.

What Happened After the Detentions?

Many of those detained during the protest were later released. Videos and statements from political leaders subsequently showed some detainees leaving police stations after being held for a period of time.

The protest nevertheless highlighted the continuing political dispute over the SIR exercise and electoral-roll changes. While protesters demanded the CEC's resignation, authorities maintained restrictions on the unauthorised gathering and deployed significant security resources to prevent the demonstration from taking place at Jantar Mantar.

The detention of nearly 1,000 people, including elected representatives, student activists and civil society figures, made the demonstration one of the significant protest-related security operations in central Delhi in recent days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were people protesting near Jantar Mantar?

Protesters were demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and alleged mass deletion of voters.

How many people were detained?

Delhi Police detained nearly 1,000 people during the protest, according to reports. Many were later released.

Was permission granted for the protest?

No. Police said permission had not been granted for the planned demonstration, and prohibitory orders were imposed in the New Delhi district.

Who participated in the protest?

AAP leaders, student organisations including AISA, SFI and NSUI, youth groups and civil society activists participated in the mobilisation.

How many security personnel were deployed?

Around 5,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the Lutyens' zone and surrounding areas, with more than 10 companies of paramilitary forces involved in the security arrangements.

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