Over 700 Held at Jantar Mantar During Protest Against CEC
AAP leaders and student activists held as protesters seek CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over SIR-related allegations
- More than 700 protesters were detained, police sources said.
- AAP leaders and student activists were among those held.
- Protesters sought CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Security restrictions were imposed around Jantar Mantar.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd Oct: More than 700 people, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and members of student organisations, were detained by Delhi Police on Friday during protests at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, according to police sources. Some reports put the number detained at over 500 at an earlier stage of the operation.
The protest was organised by political parties and groups including the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). Demonstrators were demanding Kumar’s resignation over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged deletion of voters.
Police said permission had not been granted for the gathering and imposed restrictions in the area. Additional personnel and barricades were deployed around Jantar Mantar to prevent an unauthorised assembly.
According to police, around 700 SFI members attempting to reach Jantar Mantar at about 11 am were stopped at the Ashoka Road roundabout, with several subsequently detained. Protesters were also stopped at other points, including Firoz Shah Road, as they attempted to move towards the protest venue.
AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha and Atishi were among those detained. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was stopped at North Avenue while attempting to proceed towards the protest site, police said.
Police maintained that the detentions were intended to prevent an unauthorised gathering and maintain public order. The Delhi Police had earlier denied permission for the proposed demonstration, citing security concerns and the anticipated turnout.
Security restrictions also affected public movement in central Delhi. Entry and exit at several Delhi Metro stations were temporarily closed, while internet services were also suspended around the protest area, according to reports.
The demonstrations come amid an escalating political dispute over the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise. Opposition parties and student organisations have alleged irregularities and voter deletions, while the Election Commission has maintained that its procedures and orders follow the applicable statutory framework.
