Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Protesters Detained Again Near Jantar Mantar Over CEC Demand
People marched in New Delhi for a second day to demand that election chief Gyanesh Kumar resign.
They also objected to changes being made to voter lists.
Police stopped the march near Jantar Mantar and detained about 150 people, though another report put Saturday’s figure at around 160.
Neha Bora and Yogendra Yadav were among those detained.
Police said they had not given permission for the demonstrations.
Reports also disagree about Friday’s detentions, giving estimates of around 550 and nearly 1,000.
One report said more than 5,000 security personnel were deployed.
Protesters said they would keep mobilising, and the Election Commission said its decisions follow legal procedures.
Delhi Police detained around 150 protesters on Saturday; another report estimated about 160, as demonstrators marched towards Jantar Mantar demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Those detained included AISA president Neha Bora and activist Yogendra Yadav; Kapil Sibal and Prashant Bhushan were among the march participants.
Reports give differing estimates for Friday’s detentions: one says around 550 protesters, while another says nearly 1,000 were detained in and around Jantar Mantar.
Protesters opposed the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities; police said permission had not been granted and cited prohibitory orders.
One report said more than 5,000 security personnel were deployed and Section 163 of the BNSS was imposed; protest organisers called for further mobilisation on October 10 if demands were unmet.
- Who
- Protesters from student and youth groups, including AISA, SFI, NSUI and IYC; those detained included Neha Bora and Yogendra Yadav.
- What
- A protest march demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and opposing the electoral-roll revision was stopped, and protesters were detained.
- When
- Saturday, the second consecutive day of demonstrations; a similar protest took place Friday.
- Where
- Near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi; the march had set out from Patel Chowk.
- Why
- Protesters opposed the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleged irregularities and demanded the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
Protesters and challengers
Police and Election Commission
Right to demonstrate
Protesters and challengers
Protesters sought to assemble and march; the IYC petition argued that authorities should not turn regulation of peaceful assembly into prohibition.
Police and Election Commission
Delhi Police said it had not granted permission and cited prohibitory orders restricting demonstrations without prior written permission.
Electoral-roll revision
Protesters and challengers
Protesters opposed the Special Intensive Revision and alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Police and Election Commission
The Election Commission said differing views are normal in institutional deliberations and that its orders have legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
- Saturday detentions
- Around 150, according to one report; another estimated about 160.
- Friday detentions
- Reports differ: around 550 in one account and nearly 1,000 in another.
- Main demand
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Other protest issue
- Opposition to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and allegations of irregularities.
- Police position
- Police said permission had not been granted; prohibitory orders restricted gatherings and demonstrations without prior written permission.
- Security measures
- One report said more than 5,000 personnel were deployed and Section 163 of the BNSS was imposed in New Delhi.
- Further mobilisation
- Organisers called for a large mobilisation on October 10 if their demands were not met.
- Related legal challenge
- IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib challenged the refusal of permission for a proposed demonstration in the Delhi High Court.
