Delhi Police detained over 700 protesters, including opposition leaders and student activists, on October 2, as roads were sealed and Metro stations shut ahead of a demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police detained over 700 protesters on Friday, 2 October, as demonstrators attempted to reach Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. According to Outlook, protesters put the figure at over 600 by the afternoon, while police officials later estimated around 700. Earlier reports, including one by The Logical Indian, cited more than 100 detentions.
Among those detained were Aam Aadmi Party leaders Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjay Singh, All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, activist Yogendra Yadav and RJD’s Manoj Jha. According to South First, CPI(M)’s MA Baby and Brinda Karat, along with SFI and NSUI members, were also held. DY365 reported that some detainees were taken to the Badarpur and Outer North Delhi police stations, while Atishi posted from Fatehpur Beri police station.
The Week reported that around 350 students and activists had set out from the Vice-President’s House but were stopped before reaching the site. The Quint reported that 50-60 people continued protesting around Janpath.
Police had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita across the New Delhi district. It was reported by sources that 11 Metro stations were closed, internet services were suspended in and around Jantar Mantar, and Delhi Police, the Rapid Action Force and the CRPF were deployed. Police denied permission for the gathering.
The Logical Indian reported that an AISA delegation had submitted an intimation to the Parliament Street police station earlier in the week. Bharadwaj said police told protesters that permission had not been granted, and questioned why it was required at a designated protest site.
Bora alleged that police dragged citizens off the streets, and claimed on X that detained protesters were being released by people on the streets. The SFI alleged a “mass crackdown” on its activists. The Delhi Police had not issued an official count or detailed statement at the time of publication, according to the reports reviewed.
The Print reported of a similar protest on 25 September that had also led to detentions. A parallel demonstration was held at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park under heavy police deployment.
Image Credits: News Insider
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Vidhi Ramchandani
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