4 hrs ago
AISA Activists Return to Jantar Mantar as Police Detain Protesters
AISA activists went back to a protest site in Delhi on Saturday.
Their leader, Neha Bora, had asked them to return after she was detained on Friday.
Police detained several people as they gathered, and security remained tight.
More than 1,000 people had been detained during Friday’s protest, according to the reports.
Many of those people were later released.
The protesters say there are problems with how electoral rolls are being revised.
They also want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police filed three or more cases related to Friday’s protest, saying gathering restrictions may have been broken.
The Election Commission says differences of opinion are normal and its orders follow legal procedures.
AISA activists returned to Jantar Mantar on Saturday after a call by national president Neha Bora.
Police detained several protesters as they gathered, with heavy security and road barricades around the site.
More than 1,000 people were detained during Friday’s demonstration; many were later released.
Protesters oppose the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, allege irregularities and demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police registered at least three FIRs over Friday’s protest, citing alleged breaches of prohibitory orders.
- Who
- AISA activists and other protesters; Delhi Police detained several people.
- What
- Activists returned to Jantar Mantar to protest the electoral-roll revision and demand Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas in New Delhi.
- When
- Saturday, October 3, following Friday’s demonstration.
- Why
- Protesters oppose the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and allege irregularities.
Protesters’ concerns
Police and Election Commission positions
Electoral-roll revision
Protesters’ concerns
Protesters oppose the Special Intensive Revision and allege irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Police and Election Commission positions
The Election Commission says its orders have full legal sanction, follow established statutory procedures, and that differing views are normal in institutional deliberations.
Protest and restrictions
Protesters’ concerns
AISA called for continued mobilisation and said the detentions would not intimidate protesters.
Police and Election Commission positions
Police had denied permission for Friday’s gathering and cited alleged violations of prohibitory orders in the FIRs.
Key facts
- Saturday mobilisation
- AISA activists returned to Jantar Mantar after Neha Bora called for a 1 pm gathering.
- Friday detentions
- Reports describe more than 1,000 protesters detained; many were subsequently released.
- Protest demands
- Protesters oppose the SIR exercise and demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- FIRs
- Delhi Police registered at least three FIRs: two at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station.
- Legal provisions cited
- The FIRs cite Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and alleged violations of restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
- Restrictions
- The New Delhi district orders prohibited gatherings of five or more and demonstrations without prior written permission.
- Election Commission response
- The commission said differing views are normal and its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.
- Commissioners’ objections
- The Indian Express reported that Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times over 10 months to SIR-related decisions and orders.
Sources
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