Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Mann Criticizes Centre Over Detentions Ahead of Delhi Protest
A group planned to protest in Delhi about how voter lists were changed.
Police did not give the group permission to hold its demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
Around 500 people trying to reach the site were detained, the report says.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized the central government over the detentions.
He said students who want to protect democracy should be allowed to speak up.
The group’s concerns include claims that some voters were removed from the lists.
Mann also said Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should resign.
Police said the demonstration could not go ahead because of security and procedural concerns.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized the BJP-led Centre over protesters detained ahead of a planned demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police detained around 500 people trying to reach the protest site, according to the report.
Police had denied the Cockroach Janta Party permission to demonstrate, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.
The protest was called over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision and changes involving Form 6.
Mann said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should resign and argued that peaceful student protesters should be allowed to demonstrate.
- Who
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Cockroach Janta Party, protesters, and Delhi Police.
- What
- Mann criticized the Centre after police detained around 500 people ahead of a proposed protest.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, according to the report.
- Where
- Delhi, with the planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar; Mann made his remarks in Chandigarh.
- Why
- The protest was called over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision and changes involving Form 6.
Criticism of the Detentions
Police Security Rationale
Allowing the demonstration
Criticism of the Detentions
Mann argued that students and young people seeking to protect democracy should be allowed to demonstrate.
Police Security Rationale
Police denied permission for the Jantar Mantar demonstration, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.
Voter-list concerns
Criticism of the Detentions
Mann described alleged deletions of votes and decisions made without consulting two Election Commission members as an alarm bell for democracy.
Police Security Rationale
The report says the protest was based on allegations of voter-list manipulation; it does not provide a response from the Centre or Election Commission to those allegations.
- Detentions
- Around 500 protesters were detained while trying to reach Jantar Mantar, according to the report.
- Planned protest site
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Permission
- Delhi Police denied permission, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.
- Protest concerns
- Alleged voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision and changes involving Form 6.
- Mann’s demand
- Mann said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar must resign.
- Security deployment
- Mann said around 80,000 to 90,000 security personnel had been deployed.