NEW DELHI, Oct 2: More than 700 protesters, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and members of several student organisations, were detained in Delhi on Friday during demonstrations at and around Jantar Mantar seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest was organised by political parties, student groups and youth organisations over what protesters described as irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged large-scale deletion of voters. These allegations were cited by the protesters and do not constitute a finding by the Election Commission or a court.
AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha and Atishi, along with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, were among those detained or stopped by police. Student activists from organisations including AISA, SFI, NSUI and DYFI were also detained at different locations while attempting to reach the protest site.
Police said restrictions had been imposed in the New Delhi district and that permission had not been granted for the proposed gathering. Barricades were erected around Jantar Mantar and additional security personnel were deployed to prevent unauthorised assemblies.
A police source said a large group of SFI members attempting to reach Jantar Mantar was stopped near the Ashoka Road roundabout, with several protesters taken into custody.
The protesters raised slogans demanding accountability from the Election Commission. AAP leaders said the demonstrations were intended to raise concerns over the electoral-roll revision process.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party had sought permission for the demonstration and maintained that protesters were exercising their right to raise concerns. Police, however, said the gathering had not been authorised.
NSUI activists, including national president Vinod Jakhar, were also detained during a march towards Jantar Mantar. Student organisations separately alleged that police used force during the detentions.
Meanwhile, police imposed restrictions on movement around the protest site. Entry and exit at several Delhi Metro stations in central Delhi were temporarily closed as part of security arrangements, while internet services were also suspended in and around the protest area.
The demonstrations are part of wider protests by opposition parties, student organisations and civil society groups over the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. The Election Commission has maintained that decisions relating to the electoral-roll exercise are taken in accordance with the applicable process.
