1 hr ago
Delhi Metro Closes 11 Stations Ahead of Electoral Protest
Delhi Metro closed the entrances and exits of 11 stations in central Delhi.
The closures happened before a planned protest at Jantar Mantar.
Protest organisers want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
They say changes to voter lists may have wrongly removed many voters.
Police said the protest did not have permission.
Rules banning gatherings of five or more people were still active in the New Delhi district.
Security forces and barricades were placed around the protest area.
Metro interchanges remained available at several stations, although the articles differed on whether INA was included.
Entry and exit at 11 Delhi Metro stations in central Delhi were closed on Friday until further notice.
The closures came ahead of a proposed Jantar Mantar protest seeking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Organisers alleged irregularities and mass voter deletions linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police said permission had not been granted and that restrictions on gatherings of five or more people remained in force.
Police, Rapid Action Force personnel, barricades and other security measures were deployed around Jantar Mantar.
- Who
- The protest was called by groups and individuals including the All India Students’ Association, Aam Aadmi Party, student and youth organisations, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and lawyer Prashant Bhushan.
- What
- Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at 11 stations ahead of a proposed protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Where
- Central Delhi, particularly the Jantar Mantar area and nearby Metro stations.
- When
- On Friday, ahead of a protest announced for 11 a.m.; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- Organisers alleged irregularities, voter deletions and other concerns related to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s functioning.
Protest organisers and critics
Police and authorities
Electoral-roll revision
Protest organisers and critics
Organisers and critics allege irregularities, mass deletion of voters and risks to genuine electors connected with the Special Intensive Revision.
Police and authorities
The articles report that police focused on security and public-order arrangements; they do not state a police response to the specific electoral allegations.
Holding the demonstration
Protest organisers and critics
The organisers announced a protest at Jantar Mantar to demand action against or the removal of Gyanesh Kumar.
Police and authorities
Delhi Police said permission had not been granted and that protests, marches and similar activities were barred while Section 163 remained in force.
Movement and access
Protest organisers and critics
Protesters and expected participants faced restricted access around Jantar Mantar and nearby Metro stations.
Police and authorities
Authorities said the closures, barricades and deployments were preventive measures in anticipation of a large gathering and to regulate movement.
Key facts
- Affected stations
- Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi.
- Metro status
- Entry and exit were closed until further notice.
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
- Main demand
- The resignation or removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Police position
- Permission was not granted for the demonstration, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma.
- Legal restriction
- An order prohibiting gatherings of five or more people under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita was in force in New Delhi.
- Reported trigger
- A report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected at least 14 times in 10 months to decisions linked to the SIR exercise and other electoral matters.
Quotes
Sachin Sharma
DCP New Delhi discussing restrictions and security arrangements for the proposed Jantar Mantar protest
“Section 163 of the BNSS is in force in New Delhi, and protests, demonstrations, marches and similar activities are not permitted.”
NDTV
“permission has not been granted for any type of protest”
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Sources
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