Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Delhi Protest Disruptions Spur Rekha Gupta’s Opposition Criticism
A group called the Cockroach Janta Party wanted to protest in Delhi and ask an election official to resign.
Police stopped people from gathering at Jantar Mantar and detained some protest organisers.
Arvind Kejriwal and other opposition leaders were also detained while trying to join protests.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta blamed opposition leaders for creating trouble and said Delhi should not be held hostage.
The opposition said the government used police action and broad restrictions to stop the demonstration.
Authorities said police had denied permission because organisers had not given enough advance notice and there were concerns about public order.
Travel was disrupted, including by Metro station closures and train cancellations.
The Supreme Court had questioned the scale of restrictions on public transport the day before.
Rekha Gupta accused Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal of trying to turn Delhi into a political battleground with the Cockroach Janta Party.
Police prevented CJP supporters from gathering at Jantar Mantar to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained aboard a plane after arriving from Mumbai.
Kejriwal and other opposition figures were detained as they tried to join or reach protests; police said the demonstration lacked required advance notice and raised law-and-order concerns.
Authorities restricted access to 45 Metro stations, cancelled more than 250 trains and suspended internet in parts of central Delhi; police said nearly 3,000 people were detained, most later released.
- Who
- Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, CJP organisers and supporters, and Delhi Police.
- What
- Police prevented a planned protest at Jantar Mantar, detained organisers and political leaders, and authorities imposed transport and internet restrictions.
- When
- Saturday, October 10; the year is not specified in the reports.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi airport and other locations across Delhi; CJP leaders had arrived from Mumbai.
- Why
- CJP sought Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities. Kejriwal and other AAP leaders protested alleged Election Commission irregularities and revisions to electoral rolls; police cited missing advance notice and law-and-order concerns for denying permission.
Government and police position
Opposition concerns and protest aims
Purpose and effect of the protest
Government and police position
Gupta accused Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal of trying to turn Delhi into a battleground and said political activity was threatening public safety and peace.
Opposition concerns and protest aims
CJP sought Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, while Kejriwal and other AAP leaders said they were protesting alleged Election Commission irregularities and electoral-roll revisions.
Restrictions and police action
Government and police position
Delhi Police said it denied permission because organisers had not provided the required 10-day advance notice and authorities had law-and-order concerns.
Opposition concerns and protest aims
Opposition parties accused the government of using police action and sweeping restrictions to prevent the demonstration. The Supreme Court questioned the scale of curbs on Metro and railway services.
- Delhi chief minister
- Rekha Gupta
- Planned protest site
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- CJP demand
- Resignation of Gyanesh Kumar
- CJP leaders detained
- Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka
- Reported detentions
- Nearly 3,000 people across Delhi, according to senior police officers; most were freed
- Metro restrictions
- Entry and exit gates at 45 stations were shut
- Other reported disruptions
- More than 250 trains were cancelled and internet services were suspended in parts of central Delhi
- Police explanation
- Permission was denied over failure to provide mandatory 10-day advance notice and concerns about law and order
