Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Young protesters adapt tactics amid security crackdown in New Delhi
Young protesters in New Delhi are adapting their tactics as police enforce a major security crackdown on demonstrations.
They are demanding the resignation of the head of India’s election commission, accusing it of changing voter rolls to help Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party; the commission denies the accusation.
With security personnel blocking the main protest site, Jantar Mantar, demonstrators have held brief rallies in other places.
Protesters have also used masks and other ways to avoid surveillance, while volunteers track police vehicles and help connect detainees with drivers and, sometimes, doctors.
Thousands were reportedly detained over the weekend, though many have since been released.
The demonstrations are continuing despite the crackdown, but no further official steps are described.
Young Indian protesters in New Delhi have changed tactics to keep demonstrations going amid a major security crackdown.
Police deployed tens of thousands of security personnel in key parts of the capital to block the main protest site, Jantar Mantar.
Protesters have held flash demonstrations elsewhere and used tactics including masks, offline maps and volunteer networks.
They are seeking the resignation of India’s election commission chief, accusing the commission of manipulating voter rolls to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party.
The commission denied the accusation, and thousands of protesters were reportedly detained over the weekend, with many later released.
- Who
- Young protesters in New Delhi, including students, are demonstrating; police are enforcing the security crackdown.
- What
- Protesters are using improvised tactics to evade surveillance and keep demonstrations going. They are demanding the resignation of the head of India’s election commission.
- When
- The demonstrations and detentions took place over the weekend; related events were reported on Oct 11 and Oct 12.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, including areas around the blocked protest site at Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- Protesters accuse the election commission of manipulating voter rolls to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party. The commission denied the accusation.
Protesters
India’s election commission
Voter rolls
Protesters
Protesters accuse the commission of manipulating voter rolls to benefit the ruling party.
India’s election commission
The commission denied the accusation.
Bollywood actress Richa Chadha posted advice on using make-up to evade surveillance or facial recognition cameras.
Opposition parties marched to the Supreme Court in New Delhi to protest the revision of voter lists.
Thousands of protesters were reportedly detained during demonstrations in the capital, and many were later released.
- Security deployment
- Tens of thousands of personnel in key parts of New Delhi
- Main protest site
- Jantar Mantar
- Volunteer network
- About 170 volunteers tracked police vehicles and helped connect detainees with drivers
- Detentions
- Thousands reportedly detained over the weekend; many were later released
- Protester
- Neha Bora, 29, was detained after police mistook her for her lookalike
What people are saying
Once we get to know where the detainees are, we have a WhatsApp group where we ask if any volunteer driver is around, what car they have, if it is stocked with food, water, fuel
pure coincidence, not strategy
Dear protesters, since you’re being filmed without your consent, try using make-up to dodge surveillance or facial recognition cameras
They have big bellies, they can’t run
Sources
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