Nearly 1,000 people were detained across Delhi on Friday as police prevented student organisations, political parties and civil society groups from gathering at Jantar Mantar to protest alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in the revision exercise and the deletion of voters from electoral rolls.
Police deployed hundreds of personnel and erected multiple layers of barricades around Jantar Mantar and surrounding roads, preventing protesters from reaching the designated demonstration site. Several groups instead held smaller protests at different locations across central Delhi.
A senior police officer said around 750 people were detained near Jantar Mantar and another 400 from other parts of Delhi during the day. Around 200 people were also placed under house arrest in the morning. Those detained from the streets were transported to various police stations in buses.
Among those detained were former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi, All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora and Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav. AAP leaders, civil society activists, left-backed student groups and Congress youth wing workers were also detained.
Organisations call for protest at Jantar Mantar
The demonstration was called by the AAP, AISA, Students’ Federation of India, National Students’ Union of India, Indian Youth Congress and other student and youth organisations.
Police had said beforehand that permission had not been granted for the gathering. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were also in force across the New Delhi district.
The restrictions barred gatherings of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing and dharnas without prior written permission. Police also prohibited slogans, speeches and the carrying of banners, placards, sticks and other objects.
Authorities said the measures were imposed to maintain public order, ensure safety and facilitate traffic movement.
Roads around Jantar Mantar heavily barricaded
Jantar Mantar and several roads leading to the protest venue were heavily barricaded from Friday morning. Police and Rapid Action Force personnel, along with a riot-control vehicle, were deployed in the area.
The restrictions extended beyond the immediate protest site. Internet services were suspended in parts of central Delhi, while entry and exit gates at 12 metro stations were temporarily closed, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Janpath, Patel Chowk and Mandi House. The affected stations were reopened at around 8.20pm, according to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
Unable to reach Jantar Mantar, NSUI members gathered near the Congress headquarters on Raisina Road, while AISA activists assembled near Patel Chowk and attempted to march.
AISA activists said the restrictions resulted in protesters dispersing to different parts of the city rather than gathering at a single location.
Metro restrictions disrupt commuters
The security measures also affected commuters in central Delhi. Entry and exit points at several metro stations were closed, leaving some passengers searching for alternative routes.
Commuters at Mandi House, Rajiv Chowk, Barakhamba and Patel Chowk reported difficulties reaching their destinations and said advance information about the closures could have been clearer.
Some protesters also said the internet restrictions affected their ability to communicate with friends and family members and coordinate their movements.
Police said they were also examining an alleged incident involving a policeman who was reportedly seen punching a protester in a purported video.
Security tightened at Delhi borders
Security arrangements were also strengthened at Delhi’s borders. Police personnel erected barricades on the DND Flyway carriageway towards south Delhi from Noida and Mayur Vihar and carried out random vehicle checks.
Drivers and passengers were questioned about their destinations and asked to provide personal and residential details as security forces sought to prevent protesters from reaching central Delhi.
