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Dhruv Rathee Questions Delhi Security Clampdown Ahead of Protest
Dhruv Rathee came to Delhi before a planned protest by the Cockroach Janta Party.
The party wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
It said there were problems with the updating of voter lists and the handling of voter-registration applications.
Rathee criticized metro restrictions, cancelled trains and a planned mobile internet shutdown.
The metro authority first announced restrictions at 57 stations, then reduced that number to 45.
Police said the measures were needed to keep people safe and manage crowds and traffic.
Police also said Jantar Mantar could safely hold about 1,000 people at a time.
The protest had not been given permission at Jantar Mantar, according to the article.
Reports said about 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in Delhi.
Dhruv Rathee criticized extensive security and transport restrictions before a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar.
The protest was planned for October 10 to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation revised its advisory, restricting entry and exit at 45 stations instead of the initially announced 57.
Mobile internet was scheduled to be suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing from October 9 at 10 pm to October 10 at 10 pm.
Delhi Police said the precautions were intended to maintain public safety and law and order; reports said around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed.
- Who
- Dhruv Rathee, the Cockroach Janta Party, Delhi Police and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
- What
- Rathee criticized security and transport restrictions ahead of a CJP protest demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Where
- Delhi, including Jantar Mantar and the area around the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing.
- When
- The protest was planned for October 10; the described restrictions were scheduled from October 9 into October 10.
- Why
- CJP said it was protesting alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision and the handling of voter-registration applications; police cited public safety and law-and-order concerns for the restrictions.
Rathee and protest organizers
Delhi Police and authorities
Need for restrictions
Rathee and protest organizers
Rathee said metro closures, cancelled trains and the planned mobile internet suspension made Delhi feel like it was under an “almost lockdown,” and questioned why such measures were needed if turnout was expected to be low.
Delhi Police and authorities
Delhi Police described the restrictions as precautionary measures to protect the public, manage crowds and traffic, preserve emergency access and maintain law and order.
Basis for the protest
Rathee and protest organizers
CJP organizers alleged irregularities in the electoral-roll revision exercise and raised concerns about the handling of Form 6 voter-registration applications.
Delhi Police and authorities
The articles report the police’s public-safety rationale for restrictions but do not provide a response from the Election Commission to the organizers’ allegations.
Permission and crowd management
Rathee and protest organizers
Rathee urged people to attend the planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police and authorities
Delhi Police refused permission for the proposed protest there and said the site could safely accommodate around 1,000 people at a time.
Key facts
- Planned protest date
- October 10
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Metro restrictions
- Entry and exit restricted at 45 stations from 9 pm Friday to 6 pm Saturday, after an initial advisory listed 57 stations.
- Mobile internet restriction
- Scheduled within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing, October 9 at 10 pm to October 10 at 10 pm.
- Reported security deployment
- Around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel.
- Police-stated venue capacity
- Jantar Mantar could safely accommodate around 1,000 people at a time, according to Delhi Police.
Quotes
Rajeev Ranjan
Additional Commissioner of Delhi Police; the article quotes his statement on peaceful protest.
“On one hand, your IT cell people are saying that no one will come to our protest. If there is no crowd, then why are you doing all this if there is no crowd? I don't understand.”
livemint.com
“Trains have been shut down. Buses have been cancelled. And they are almost putting Delhi on lockdown because of our protests.”
livemint.com
Sources
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