Archive · 3 Oct 2026
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.
- When
- Gandhi Jayanti; AISA called for another protest on Saturday afternoon.
- Where
- Roads and areas around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
- 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.
- 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.