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CJP Protest Draws Detentions and Major Delhi Security Restrictions
The Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest in Delhi on October 10.
It wanted to challenge Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over claims about changes to voter lists.
Police did not give permission for the protest, saying it could cause law-and-order problems.
Police detained some party leaders and other people who were on their way to the protest.
Security was tightened around Jantar Mantar, with barricades and checks.
Entry and exit at 45 Metro stations were restricted for part of the day, but the whole Metro system was not closed.
News reports also described traffic and train disruptions and planned limits on mobile internet near the protest area.
Opposition politicians criticized the restrictions, while BJP president Nitin Nabin criticized the protest’s rhetoric.
The Cockroach Janta Party planned an October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Delhi Police denied permission for the protest, citing law-and-order concerns, and detained CJP leaders and other people headed to the site.
Police imposed extensive security measures, including checks, barricades and restrictions affecting 45 Delhi Metro stations.
Reports described heavy traffic, train cancellations and planned mobile internet restrictions around Jantar Mantar; the entire Metro network was not shut.
Political figures disagreed over the restrictions, with opposition voices criticizing them and BJP president Nitin Nabin condemning the protest’s political rhetoric.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party, its supporters, Delhi Police and political figures including Rahul Gandhi and Nitin Nabin.
- What
- A planned CJP protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged voter-list irregularities, met with police detentions and security restrictions.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and other parts of Delhi, with reported detentions at Indira Gandhi International Airport and in Gurugram.
- When
- October 10; some Metro restrictions began at 9 p.m. on October 9.
- Why
- The CJP said it was protesting the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and alleged changes to Form 6; police cited law-and-order concerns in denying permission.
Critics of restrictions
Supporters of restrictions
Restrictions on protest and travel
Critics of restrictions
Opposition figures and the CJP said detentions and restrictions on trains, roads and protest access curtailed democratic expression. Sanjay Raut called it a people's protest, while Aradhana Mishra Mona described the restrictions as an attack on democracy.
Supporters of restrictions
Delhi Police said preventive checks and extensive security arrangements were necessary to maintain public order and avoid disruption; it cited law-and-order concerns in denying permission.
Political rhetoric surrounding the protest
Critics of restrictions
Rahul Gandhi said Gyanesh Kumar and the Modi government would go, after which democracy could be repaired. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said the government wanted to portray the country as scared.
Supporters of restrictions
BJP president Nitin Nabin said the language used by Rahul Gandhi, opposition leaders and CJP figures was unacceptable and accused them of trying to undermine constitutional institutions.
Key facts
- Planned protest date
- October 10
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Main target of protest
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- CJP's stated concerns
- The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and alleged tampering with voter lists and changes to Form 6
- Metro restrictions
- Entry and exit gates at 45 stations were scheduled to remain closed from 9 p.m. October 9 until 6 p.m. October 10; interchange remained available at affected stations except New Delhi.
- Police position
- Delhi Police denied permission, citing law-and-order concerns and possible inconvenience to residents.
- Other reported disruptions
- The articles reported train cancellations, traffic jams and planned mobile internet suspension within a 4-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar.
Quotes
Abhijeet Dipke
Founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, detained at Delhi airport.
“In view of the protest announced in New Delhi today, preventive checks have been implemented here.”
livemint.com
“I have come here to be arrested; arrest me.”
livemint.com
Sources
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