New Delhi: Delhi Police detained several leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and opposition figures on Saturday ahead of a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest, called by the CJP and several Left organisations, was met with extensive security arrangements across the national capital after police denied permission for the gathering, citing the alleged breach of a previous undertaking.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police personnel aboard their aircraft shortly after it landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The leaders were subsequently taken to an undisclosed location within the airport, according to statements by party representatives.
Rathee, who was expected to participate in the demonstration, was also detained in Gurugram on Saturday morning, sources in intelligence agencies said. He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location.
Several other CJP functionaries, including policy lead Mehr and head of legal affairs Ratna Singh, were detained as police stepped up action against organisers and supporters ahead of the protest.
Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former state Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal, senior Left leader Brinda Karat and Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas were also detained in Delhi. In Mumbai, social activists Tushar Gandhi and Feroze Mithoborewala were detained while attempting to participate in a protest at August Kranti Maidan, organisers said. Police had not granted permission for the Mumbai demonstration either.
Restrictions across Delhi
Security arrangements were intensified across central Delhi, with barricades erected at entry points, traffic restrictions imposed from 6 am and police personnel deployed around Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place.
Authorities were detaining people suspected of heading to the protest site and transporting them in buses. Several protesters who had travelled from other states, including Assam and Karnataka, reported being unable to reach the designated location amid the security cordon.
Police also restricted movement at several checkpoints. At Minto Bridge, people were reportedly required to produce valid identification linked to their work to proceed towards central Delhi. Restrictions at other locations left commuters, including daily wage workers, stranded.
Internet curbs in parts of the capital disrupted digital payments and navigation services, affecting commuters who relied on UPI transactions and app-based transport services.
The Connaught Place market was scheduled to remain closed on Saturday following a decision by the New Delhi Traders Association, which cited concerns about public safety and possible property damage. Traders’ representatives warned that the closure could cause substantial financial losses.
Rail services were also affected, with mail and express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm cancelled. Several Metro stations were shut as part of the security measures.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs directed states and Union Territories to coordinate with Delhi Police and take preventive measures to restrict the movement of protesters towards the capital.
Delhi Police estimated that around 7,000 protesters could arrive in the city. Senior officers were instructed to exercise restraint and handle the situation professionally. Police officials said unauthorised gatherings would not be permitted and that those arriving to participate could be moved to designated detention centres.
CJP vows to continue agitation
Despite the detention of its senior leadership, the CJP said the nationwide agitation would continue. In a statement, the party urged young people and citizens to lead the movement, invoking the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar.
Dipke, in a video recorded aboard the aircraft before his detention, said he was prepared to be detained or arrested and maintained that the movement would continue to demand free and fair elections.
The party described the detentions as an attempt to prevent a peaceful demonstration and called for the immediate release of its leaders.
AISA president Neha Bora also criticised the police action, alleging that citizens were being detained without sufficient grounds. Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi separately questioned the extensive restrictions imposed ahead of the protest.
Meanwhile, protesters who managed to reach areas near Jantar Mantar questioned the absence of an investigation into allegations concerning the Chief Election Commissioner. Some said they had travelled considerable distances to participate despite the security restrictions.
Legal challenge over transit restrictions
The security measures also prompted legal objections. A Supreme Court advocate filed a contempt petition over what was described as a blanket shutdown of transit corridors in and around Delhi, alleging that the restrictions continued despite the apex court’s October 9 order concerning public hardship.
Police officials said no application seeking permission to shift the demonstration to Ramlila Maidan had been received.
The central demands of the planned protest remain the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the rollback of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The authorities’ response, meanwhile, has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and activists over restrictions on movement and the detention of demonstrators.
