Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar intensified across New Delhi on Tuesday, with members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), student organisations and Opposition supporters staging demonstrations at multiple locations. Early in the day, CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and several party workers climbed over the locked gates of Jantar Mantar carrying the Indian national flag and raising slogans calling for the CEC’s resignation. Delhi Police quickly detained the protesters after they entered the barricaded site. The CJP described the action as an attempt to “reclaim” Jantar Mantar, insisting that the historic protest venue should remain open for democratic demonstrations.
As the day progressed, student organisation Disha organised a march from Connaught Place demanding the immediate release of detained CJP leaders and opposing the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi called the movement a nationwide campaign to protect democracy and invited INDIA bloc leaders, student groups and civil society representatives for discussions before addressing the media. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court took note of allegations that women journalists covering the protests were manhandled by Delhi Police and directed a senior police officer to appear before the court. The hearing on petitions related to the protests, metro closures and transport disruptions was deferred until October 15.
Delhi Police maintained that any protest at the CBD Ground or other designated venues requires prior permission and strict compliance with established guidelines. Authorities also registered four FIRs against social media accounts accused of spreading misinformation and attempting to create public unrest, while several Pakistan-based social media handles were reportedly placed under scrutiny. At the same time, the CJP’s legal team alleged that detained leaders were being denied access to their lawyers and that their mobile phones had been confiscated, raising concerns over the legality of the detentions. With demonstrations continuing and legal proceedings underway, the political confrontation surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls remains at the centre of national attention.
