Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Nearly 200 Detained as Protesters Return to Jantar Mantar
AISA activists and other groups returned to Jantar Mantar on Saturday to protest.
Their leader, Neha Bora, had asked people to come back after being detained on Friday.
Police detained protesters as they gathered, and one report said nearly 200 were detained on Saturday.
Reports said nearly 1,000 people had been detained during Friday’s protest, with many later released.
The protesters say there are problems with the way electoral rolls are being revised.
They want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police had restricted large gatherings in the area and filed cases related to Friday’s protest.
The Election Commission says differing views are normal and its orders follow legal procedures.
AISA and other groups returned to Jantar Mantar on Saturday after AISA president Neha Bora called for renewed protests.
Police detained nearly 200 people during Saturday’s demonstrations, according to one report; other reports described several protesters being detained.
Protesters oppose the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, allege irregularities and demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Nearly 1,000 people were detained during Friday’s protest, and many were later released.
Police registered at least three FIRs over Friday’s protest; reports cite alleged violations of prohibitory orders and additional BNS provisions.
- Who
- AISA activists and other student and civil society protesters; Delhi Police detained protesters.
- What
- Protesters returned to Jantar Mantar over the electoral-roll revision and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- When
- Saturday, October 3, after Friday’s demonstration.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas in New Delhi.
- Why
- Protesters oppose the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and allege irregularities.
Protesters’ position
Police and Election Commission positions
Electoral-roll revision
Protesters’ position
Protesters allege irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision and demand the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
Police and Election Commission positions
The Election Commission says differing views are normal and its orders follow established statutory procedures.
Gathering and detentions
Protesters’ position
AISA called for protesters to return and said detentions would not deter the mobilisation.
Police and Election Commission positions
Police denied permission for Friday’s gathering and cited alleged breaches of prohibitory orders in cases relating to the protest.
Student volunteers’ treatment
Protesters’ position
AAP’s student wing alleged that volunteers were detained and transported around Delhi before being taken to a police station; AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned their continued detention.
Police and Election Commission positions
The reports said Delhi Police had not immediately responded to the allegation.
- Saturday detentions
- One report said nearly 200 protesters were detained; other reports described several detentions.
- Friday detentions
- Reports said nearly 1,000 people were detained during Friday’s demonstration; many were later released.
- Protest demands
- Protesters oppose the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demand Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- FIRs
- Delhi Police registered at least three FIRs relating to Friday’s protests: two at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station.
- Legal provisions
- Reports cite Section 163 of the BNSS for prohibitory orders and BNS provisions including Section 223; one report also lists Sections 221, 132 and 3(5).
- Prohibitory orders
- Orders across the New Delhi district restricted gatherings of five or more and demonstrations without prior written permission.
- Election Commission response
- The commission said differing views are normal in institutional deliberations and its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.
- Commissioners’ objections
- A report said Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times over 10 months to SIR-related decisions and orders.
Sources
AISA, Other Protesters Return to Jantar Mantar, Nearly 200 Detained
AISA activists return to Jantar Mantar; police detain several protesters
New Delhi: AISA activists regroup at Jantar Mantar as police detain protesters over SIR - Telegraph India
Nearly 200 detained as AISA, other protesters return to Jantar Mantar
