New Delhi is bracing for another day of protests on Sunday, October 11, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced a fresh march to Jantar Mantar despite Saturday's police action that saw thousands of demonstrators detained across the national capital.
Around 30,000 police personnel and 200 companies of paramilitary forces have reportedly been deployed, with barricades and traffic restrictions imposed around key locations. The youth-led movement, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, has called on supporters to assemble at 10 am. The confrontation has also reached the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear a petition challenging restrictions on public transport during the protests.
CJP national organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde, who took charge of the campaign after the detention of its senior leaders, announced that demonstrations would continue until Kumar resigned.
The fresh protest call follows Saturday's extensive security operation, which prevented demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar. Protesters subsequently gathered in smaller groups at Connaught Place, Rajghat, Dilli Haat and other locations, where several were detained.
Reports put Saturday's detention count at around 6,000, although figures varied considerably between news organisations and official sources. Reuters earlier reported that more than 2,000 people had been detained in Delhi.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and senior organisers Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained at Delhi airport on Saturday after arriving from Mumbai.
Police sources subsequently indicated that most other detainees had been released, while the three organisers remained in custody pending legal procedures.
Opposition figures, including AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal leader Mamata Banerjee and Kerala leader Pinarayi Vijayan, were also reportedly detained during Saturday's demonstrations.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a contempt petition on Sunday alleging that authorities violated its October 9 directions concerning the operation of Metro and railway services during the protests.
The petition challenges the closure of stations and disruption of train services, arguing that the restrictions affected ordinary commuters despite judicial directions against blanket shutdowns.
Delhi Metro announced that affected station gates and interchange facilities had reopened on Saturday night. However, fresh restrictions and traffic diversions remain possible during Sunday's demonstrations.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed concern over the mass detentions and urged Indian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly.
India rejected the criticism as misplaced and an unwarranted interference in its internal affairs. Its mission in Geneva maintained that constitutional freedoms remained protected but were subject to reasonable restrictions necessary for public order.
Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk has warned of another hunger strike if detained protest leaders are not released by Sunday.
The INDIA bloc is also planning a protest march on Monday, October 12, and intends to submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India over alleged electoral irregularities.
With fresh demonstrations scheduled, senior organisers still detained and judicial scrutiny of police restrictions imminent, the confrontation between protesters and authorities is set to continue into a second consecutive day.