500+ detained, internet cut, clips from police buses: High drama in Delhi as Jantar Mantar sees protests again
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
Over 500 protesters, including former Delhi CM Atishi, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, and AISA leader Neha Bora were detained in Delhi on Friday as police moved to prevent a demonstration at Jantar Mantar against the Election Commission and chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Track live updates
Adding to this, AAP leader Atishi detained (L). Political parties and members of AISA, SFI, NSUI and other student bodies are protesting to demand Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and mass deletion of voters. (AAP/X, PTI) The protest was called by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), along with activists and political leaders. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called a separate protest and asked people to join them on Gandhi Jayanti.
Meanwhile, The groups are demanding Gyanesh Kumar ’s resignation over the functioning of the Election Commission and its handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Notably, Delhi Police earlier denied permission for the proposed October 2 protest, despite the right to peaceful assembly being a fundamental right, and imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the New Delhi district. The order restricts unauthorised gatherings, demonstrations, processions and slogan-shouting.
As per the latest buzz, Several protesters who attempted to reach Jantar Mantar from the Ashoka Road side were stopped by police and taken away in buses. Heavy barricading was placed on roads leading towards the protest site, while Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed at multiple points.
In further updates, SFI and DYFI members separately gathered to protest against the Election Commission and the SIR exercise. The organisations planned to mobilise around 1,500 people at Jantar Mantar despite not receiving police permission.
On top of that, AISA national president Neha Bora was also among those detained during the continuing agitation around Jantar Mantar; SFI and DYFI members were among those held during the police action. Political activist Yogendra Yadav was also detained.
Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained from the protest site. On X, he shared he had been “arrested from Jantar Mantar” and shared slogans related to the campaign against alleged “ vote chori ”. He shared a video from inside the police bus.
Source: Hindustan Times