1 hr ago
Protesters detained as AAP-led demonstration targets CEC over voter deletions
Political parties and student groups held a protest in New Delhi.
They wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
They alleged that voter lists were changed unfairly and that many voters were deleted.
Police detained more than 500 people, including several Aam Aadmi Party leaders.
Police also said around 700 student activists had tried to reach the protest area.
AAP leaders said their protest was peaceful and that they had asked for permission in advance.
Police said permission had not been granted.
Nearby metro stations were closed and internet service was suspended around the protest site.
Delhi Police detained more than 500 protesters, including AAP leaders and student activists, during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
The protesters demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Police said approximately 700 Students’ Federation of India activists attempted to reach Jantar Mantar, while an earlier estimate put total detentions at about 150.
AAP leaders said the protest was peaceful, permission had been sought, and demonstrations at the designated protest site should not require additional approval.
Entry and exit were closed at 12 nearby Delhi Metro stations, while internet services were suspended around Jantar Mantar.
- Who
- AAP leaders, including Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha and Sanjay Singh, along with activists from student organisations including AISA, SFI, NSUI and DYFI.
- What
- A protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities and mass voter deletions; police detained more than 500 participants.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and nearby roads in New Delhi, including North Avenue, Ashoka Road and Firoz Shah Road.
- When
- Friday, October 2; the year is not specified in the report.
- Why
- Protesters alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and mass deletion of voters.
Protesters’ position
Police position
Permission for the demonstration
Protesters’ position
AAP leaders said the protest was peaceful, that letters seeking permission had been submitted about a week earlier, and that Jantar Mantar is a designated site for demonstrations.
Police position
Police said permission had not been granted for the protest.
Purpose of the protest
Protesters’ position
AAP and student groups said they were exercising a democratic right and demanded action over alleged electoral-roll irregularities and mass voter deletions.
Police position
Police detained participants and restricted access to the area; the report does not state a separate position from the Election Commission of India on the allegations.
Scale of detentions
Protesters’ position
AAP and student activists described widespread detentions, including of their leaders and members.
Police position
Police figures varied: one official cited about 500 detainees, another earlier estimate was approximately 150, while police separately said around 700 SFI activists had attempted to reach the site.
Key facts
- Reported detentions
- More than 500 protesters, according to a Delhi Police official; an earlier estimate was about 150.
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Main demand
- The resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Issue cited
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and mass voter deletions
- Student activists
- Police said around 700 SFI members attempted to reach Jantar Mantar.
- Transport restrictions
- Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at 12 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Jantar Mantar.
- Communications restriction
- Internet services were suspended at and around the protest site.
Quotes
Saurabh Bharadwaj
AAP leader and former Delhi minister
“Delhi Police is not being able to stop crimes in the capital but when it comes to protection of someone like Gyanesh Kumar, they get down on the streets.”
theprint.in
“This is not democracy. If police think they can stop the movement by detaining us, we want to tell them that this is just the start.”
theprint.in
Sources
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