Delhi Protest Intensifies as Police Detain Protesters Marching Towards Jantar Mantar

CPI(M) MP John Brittas, SFI leaders among those detained; protesters allege police manhandling
NEW DELHI, October 11: Security personnel detained several protesters, including CPI(M) MP John Brittas, as demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continued for the second consecutive day in the national capital on Sunday.
The protesters, associated with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and various student organisations, attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar from Connaught Place’s Inner Circle and Rajiv Chowk. Raising slogans such as “Gyanesh Kumar resign,” the demonstrators were stopped by security personnel and taken towards police buses.
Visuals from the protest showed some demonstrators resisting detention as police personnel dragged and escorted them away. Several detained protesters alleged that they were manhandled during the police action.
SFI Leaders Claim Assault During Detention
Members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and other student organisations were also detained while marching from Rajiv Chowk.
In a statement, the SFI alleged that its All India President Adarsh M. Saji, Delhi State Secretary Sooraj Elamon, Central Executive Committee member Abhijith Manilal and hundreds of its members were attacked and detained.
The organisation claimed that Saji sustained a forehead injury during the incident. In a video, Saji questioned the police action, stating that the demonstrators were protesting peacefully and did not understand why they were being detained.
Another protester alleged that several participants had been injured during the detentions and warned that demonstrations would continue across the national capital.
Heavy Security Deployed Across Delhi
Authorities maintained extensive security arrangements around central Delhi to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. The CJP had announced another demonstration at the protest site for 10 am on Sunday after police prevented its supporters from reaching the venue on Saturday.
According to the information provided, more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city. On Saturday, CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were among those detained amid a major security operation.
More than 7,000 protesters were reportedly detained at multiple locations on Saturday as security personnel restricted access to Jantar Mantar.
Opposition Leaders Also Detained
Several opposition leaders, including former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar, were also detained while attempting to join the demonstrations, according to the report.
Demand for Chief Election Commissioner’s Resignation
The protests have centred on allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The CJP and opposition parties have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the alleged irregularities.
The controversy has triggered demonstrations and a major security response in Delhi, with protesters insisting that they will continue their agitation.