The national capital was placed under a lockdown-like security grid on Saturday, October 10, as more than 40,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel were deployed to intercept the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
The CJP, led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, called for the mass protest to demand the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Over 1,000 Detained, Sports Stadiums Turned Into Detention Hubs
Authorities executed overnight crackdowns across key entry points and residential clusters, detaining over 1,000 people from border areas, railway stations, bus terminals, and neighborhoods including Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Nagar, and East Delhi.
To manage mass detentions, the Delhi administration designated major sports complexes—including Chhatrasal Stadium, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Bawana, and Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari—as temporary detention centers.
”Modi Accepted Defeat Before Protest Began”: Defiant Dipke
Boarding a flight from Mumbai to Delhi alongside leaders Saurav Das and Anish Gawande, CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke lashed out at the government’s pre-emptive measures.
”Narendra Modi has accepted defeat even before our protest has begun. The mass crackdown on protesters and the shutdown of Delhi are not signs of strength, but of a leader terrified of his own people,” Dipke posted on X. Speaking to news agencies, he added, “Article 19 grants us the fundamental right to protest peacefully. Invoke UAPA or NSA—it makes no difference. We will keep fighting for free and fair elections.”
High-Security Protocols and Transport Restrictions
Delhi Police officers have been equipped with body-worn cameras to record all interactions, while spike strips, drones, and multi-layered barricades were erected around Mohan Estate, IGI Airport Terminal 3, and central administrative zones. Media and public access to Jantar Mantar has been strictly restricted.
Transport and civic services remain heavily impacted across the city:
- Train Cancellations: Over 250 trains, including Mail and Express services scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations, have been cancelled at source.
- Metro Closures: Entry and exit gates across 45-57 key metro stations remain shuttered.
- RRTS Namo Bharat: Stations at Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar remain closed.
- Liquor Sales: Retail liquor outlets across Delhi remain closed under official orders.
Opposition Backs Youth Movement
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav backed the CJP demonstration, warning the ruling administration against suppressing democratic dissent.
”If the BJP government thinks it can halt the people through power, this will prove to be an even greater mistake. ‘Jantar-Mantar’ is no longer just a place’s name; it has become a symbol of a new consciousness. If the government stops the protesters, Jantar-Mantar will spring up everywhere in the country,” Yadav stated on X.
Despite heavy security deployments, CJP volunteers continue their push toward central Delhi.
