Delhi turns into a security fortress as police prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, Dhruv Rathee and several Opposition leaders detained amid demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
New Delhi witnessed an unprecedented security crackdown on Saturday, October 10, as police detained thousands of people, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several prominent activists, during protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Police sealed off key areas of central Delhi, restricted access to several Metro stations, suspended mobile internet services and deployed thousands of security personnel to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar. The protests, organised by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), followed allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. Despite the detention of its principal organisers, the movement vowed to continue its agitation, while reports of stone-pelting and injuries to two police personnel added to the tension.
Kejriwal was detained outside his residence while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar. Mamata Banerjee and several Trinamool Congress leaders were also taken into custody as police intensified restrictions.
The crackdown extended to senior CPI(M) leaders, including general secretary M A Baby, Brinda Karat, M V Govindan, A Vijayaraghavan, K K Shailaja, John Brittas, K N Balagopal and P K Sreemathi.
Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Centre of suppressing democratic rights, maintaining that police action would not weaken the campaign to defend the Constitution and voting rights.
The CPI(M) said its leaders were detained near Jantar Mantar and later taken to Chhatrasal Stadium. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin condemned the detentions, comparing the restrictions to the Emergency era.
The crackdown began earlier in the day when Delhi Police personnel boarded an aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport and detained CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and fellow organisers Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Police reportedly shifted the three organisers to different locations.
The CJP subsequently announced that organisational leader Ajinkya Shinde would coordinate the protest in their absence.
Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained at his residence in Gurugram's Sector 56 after reportedly declining police requests not to join the demonstration.
Activists Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, along with AISA leader Neha Bora, were detained as they attempted to reach alternative protest locations.
In Mumbai, activist Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and Feeroz Mithiborwala were detained ahead of a solidarity gathering at August Kranti Maidan.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia was detained during a parallel protest in Chandigarh. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai declared that the movement would continue despite the police action.
Reports indicated that approximately 35,000 police and paramilitary personnel were mobilised across Delhi. Access restrictions affected 45 Metro stations, while several railway services were cancelled, rescheduled or delayed.
Commercial activity and public transport were disrupted as barricades and checkpoints restricted movement through the capital.
Near Akashwani Bhawan, protesters allegedly breached barricades and threw stones, injuring two police personnel. Police maintained that permission for the demonstration had been denied because of security and public-order concerns.
