Security was tightened around Jantar Mantar on Friday as student groups, activists and political leaders planned a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Delhi Police said no permission had been granted for the proposed protest or march. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was also imposed in New Delhi district, prohibiting unauthorised gatherings, processions, demonstrations, dharnas, public speeches and slogan-shouting.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma said preventive measures had been put in place and appealed to people to comply with the restrictions. Police have erected barricades on roads leading to Jantar Mantar and deployed additional security personnel.
Heavy security deployment
The security arrangements include Delhi Police personnel, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other central forces. According to The Indian Express, around 5,000 personnel from district and reserve forces, RAF and other paramilitary units were deployed in the New Delhi area.
Police have also reviewed security arrangements following protests held in the area earlier this year. Officials said anti-riot drills were conducted and potential vulnerabilities around the protest site were assessed.
Metro stations affected
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation temporarily closed entry and exit at 11 stations amid the security restrictions. Interchange facilities remained available at select stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat.
The affected stations included Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi.
Who called the protest?
The proposed Jantar Mantar demonstration was backed by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, among others. The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) also announced their participation.
The organisers are seeking accountability from the Election Commission and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over what they allege are irregularities related to electoral rolls and the SIR exercise. Delhi Police, however, denied permission for the gathering.
AAP leaders, including Atishi and Sanjay Singh, also appealed to supporters to participate. Their statements included allegations about electoral-roll deletions during the SIR exercise; those figures and allegations have not been independently established in the material cited here.
Election Commission’s position
The protests come amid a wider political dispute over the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the SIR process.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have raised concerns about the exercise. The Election Commission, however, has maintained that decisions of the three-member poll panel, including those concerning SIR, were taken unanimously.
The developments have led to protests and counterclaims between opposition parties and the poll panel, with the Election Commission rejecting allegations that its decisions were taken without the participation of its members.
Traffic restrictions in central Delhi
Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory covering areas around Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, GPO, Tolstoy Marg, Jantar Mantar Road, Parliament Street and adjoining roads.
Commuters have been advised to avoid affected stretches where possible, plan journeys in advance and follow diversion signs and directions from traffic personnel.
Similar protest planned in Mumbai
A separate protest has also been announced in Mumbai by Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke. The group has planned a “Jail Bharo Andolan” at Shivaji Park over its demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Mumbai Police has said it is not empowered to grant permission for a gathering at Shivaji Park in view of a 2013 Bombay High Court order and the area’s status as a silence zone.
