1 day ago
Delhi Police Detain Hundreds at SIR Protest on Gandhi Jayanti
Several groups came to protest in Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti.
They were protesting the SIR and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police blocked roads leading to Jantar Mantar and stopped the groups from gathering there.
Hundreds of people were detained, including politicians and activists.
Police said the protest did not have permission and restrictions were in place.
Protest groups said people should be allowed to protest.
Nearby Metro station entrances and exits were closed, and traffic was diverted.
AISA said it planned another protest on Saturday.
Police blocked roads to Jantar Mantar and detained hundreds during protests against the SIR and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Those detained included MPs Manoj Jha and Sanjay Singh, former Delhi chief minister Atishi, and activist Neha Bora.
PTI reported that about 700 people were detained near Jantar Mantar; an SFI leader separately said more than 500 SFI and DYFI activists remained detained that evening.
Police said no permission had been granted for a protest and prohibitory orders were imposed; nearby Metro station entries and exits were closed and traffic diverted.
Opposition groups called the detentions an attack on the right to protest, and AISA called for another protest on Saturday.
- Who
- Protesters from the Youth Congress, AAP, Left groups and civil society; police detained hundreds, including politicians and activists.
- What
- A nationwide agitation against the SIR and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar began in Delhi, where police prevented a gathering and detained protesters.
- Where
- Roads and areas around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
- When
- Gandhi Jayanti; AISA called for another protest on Saturday afternoon.
- Why
- Protesters opposed the SIR and Gyanesh Kumar; police said no protest permission had been granted and prohibitory orders were in force.
Protesters and opposition groups
Police
Right to protest
Protesters and opposition groups
The CPM said denying permission curtailed the constitutional right to protest, and protest groups condemned the detentions.
Police
Police said no permission had been granted for a protest at Jantar Mantar and prohibitory orders were imposed to prevent unlawful gatherings.
Detentions and security restrictions
Protesters and opposition groups
Protesters and organizers criticized the extensive police deployment and detention of demonstrators; an SFI leader said more than 500 SFI and DYFI activists remained detained that evening.
Police
Police imposed restrictions and blocked access to prevent an unauthorized gathering.
Key facts
- Reported detentions
- PTI reported about 700 people detained near Jantar Mantar.
- SFI and DYFI detentions
- SFI general secretary Srijan Bhattacharyya said more than 500 activists from the two groups had been detained and not yet released that evening.
- Prominent detainees
- Those named included Manoj Jha, Sanjay Singh, Atishi and Neha Bora.
- Police position
- Police said permission had not been granted and prohibitory orders were imposed to prevent unlawful gatherings.
- Transport and access
- Entries and exits at 12 Metro stations were closed; traffic was diverted.
- Next protest
- AISA called for another protest on Jantar Mantar Road on Saturday afternoon.
Quotes
Srijan Bhattacharyya
General secretary of the Students' Federation of India
“We have been brought to distant police stations. The struggle to get Gyanesh Kumar ousted shall continue. We shall not let the country of Gandhi go to the hands of the Godses.”
telegraphindia.com
“Delhi Police, functioning directly under the Union government, converted the entire city into a fortress and detained anyone approaching Jantar Mantar.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
At Least 60 Protesters Detained Near Jantar Mantar Over SIR
Protesters Detained Again Near Jantar Mantar Over CEC Demand
AAP and Student Protesters Detained at Delhi Rally
Opposition Slams Police Detentions During Delhi Gandhi Jayanti Protest
Nearly 200 Detained as Protesters Return to Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police Detain Nearly 1,000 in Jantar Mantar Protest
India Updates: Bengaluru Fire, Kerala Deaths and SIR Protests
Opposition Bloc Launches Nationwide Save Democracy Protests Over Vote Rolls
Journalists Detained and Manhandled at Jantar Mantar Protest
