Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Delhi Streets Become Protest Sites as Jantar Mantar Is Sealed
A political party planned a protest in Delhi about how voter lists were being changed.
Police set up many barricades and stopped people from reaching the planned meeting place, Jantar Mantar.
So protesters tried to meet in smaller groups at different places around the city.
They used social media to tell one another where to go.
Police dispersed groups and detained at least 3,000 people by 5 pm.
Some party leaders were also detained at the airport.
The security measures disrupted some transport and mobile internet in parts of Delhi.
The article says no violence was reported.
Heavy security and barricades prevented demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar for the Cockroach Janta Party protest.
Protesters moved among several Delhi locations, using social media to coordinate smaller gatherings.
Police said at least 3,000 demonstrators had been detained by 5 pm as groups were dispersed.
The protest called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision.
Transport was disrupted and mobile internet was blocked in parts of Delhi; no violence was reported.
- Who
- Cockroach Janta Party demonstrators, Delhi police and paramilitary personnel; party leaders Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained.
- What
- A protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities was dispersed across multiple sites.
- When
- Saturday; the planned protest was to begin at 10:30 am, and at least 3,000 people had been detained by 5 pm.
- Where
- Across New Delhi, including streets and intersections near Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and other locations.
- Why
- The party alleged manipulation of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision and irregularities involving voter-registration Form 6.
CJP and protesters
Authorities and security restrictions
Reason for the protest
CJP and protesters
The CJP alleged manipulation of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision and irregularities involving Form 6, and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Authorities and security restrictions
The article describes extensive police and paramilitary deployment and dispersal of gatherings, but does not state the authorities’ reasons or provide a response to the allegations.
Access to the protest venue
CJP and protesters
Protesters sought to reach Jantar Mantar or continue demonstrating at barricades and other locations after being stopped.
Authorities and security restrictions
Security personnel used barricades and deployments to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar and detained or dispersed groups around the city.
- Planned venue
- Jantar Mantar, which was effectively sealed off by heavy security.
- Organizing party
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
- Protest start time
- Scheduled for 10:30 am on Saturday.
- Detentions
- At least 3,000 protesters detained by 5 pm.
- Protest locations
- Demonstrators gathered or attempted to gather at sites including Connaught Place, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Dilli Haat, Gole Market, INA Market and Minto Bridge.
- Disruptions
- Metro services were disrupted, incoming trains suspended and mobile internet blocked in parts of Delhi.
- Violence
- No violence was reported.