More than 500 protesters were detained by Delhi Police on Friday during demonstrations near Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Other reports put the number of people detained at around 700.
The protesters included opposition party leaders and workers, along with members of student and youth organisations such as AISA, SFI and NSUI. Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi was also among those detained.
The protesters were demonstrating over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged deletion of voters. Despite police restrictions and heavy security arrangements, groups of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas.
Police had earlier refused permission for the demonstration and imposed restrictions in parts of central Delhi. Barricades were put up around the protest site, while police detained people who gathered in groups and took them to different police stations.
The protest continued at different locations, with demonstrators raising slogans and demanding action over the electoral-roll revision exercise.
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat criticised the police action following her detention, saying that “every street in Delhi has become Jantar Mantar”.
Security remained tight around Jantar Mantar, with additional police personnel deployed and restrictions placed on movement towards the protest site. The Delhi Metro also temporarily closed entry and exit at several stations in central Delhi as part of the security arrangements.
The Election Commission has maintained that the electoral-roll revision is being carried out under established statutory procedures, while opposition parties have continued to raise allegations over the SIR exercise.