Several protesters have been detained, at least 12 metro stations shut and internet disruptions reported around Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Friday, as police barricaded the area and enforced prohibitory orders to stop protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Police in both Delhi and Mumbai have denied permission for the protests, which coincide with Gandhi Jayanti. In Delhi, AAP leaders and student protesters were removed from the site. Many protesters who arrived in the morning sat on the ground with posters and raised slogans before they were detained.

In Mumbai, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) plans to protest at Shivaji Park at 4 pm, with what it has called a “Jail Bharo Andolan”. 

A protest-led by CJP at Jantar Mantar against paper leaks had led to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation in July. The CJP, several student unions, and opposition parties have demanded Kumar’s resignation after The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to decisions and orders, some of which they said were issued without their knowledge.

Student unions, including the All India Students' Association (AISA), the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), had announced a march to Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police did not grant permission. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), AISA, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) also announced a similar protest at the site.

Police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the New Delhi district. Without prior written permission, the order bars public meetings or assemblies of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing and dharnas. It also bans shouting slogans, making speeches, and carrying firearms, banners, placards, lathis, swords, sticks, brickbats or similar articles.

Traffic routes are affected.

Multi-layer barricades have been erected on routes leading to Jantar Mantar, including Tolstoy Marg, Janpath Road and Sansad Marg. The Delhi Metro has closed entry and exit at 12 stations: Barakhamba, Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi. They will remain closed till further notice. Internet disruptions have also been reported around Jantar Mantar.

Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj arrived at the protest site, declaring “protest is out right”. He also said Arvind Kejriwal would try to come despite police presence outside his residence, as he and other AAP leaders and protesters were removed from Jantar Mantar, PTI reported. Bharadwaj shared a video from inside a bus showing several protesters seated, with police personnel also visible. AAP’s Sanjeev Jha was also taken away by police.

“Without using a car, I have reached Jantar Mantar. You too can reach here. I am sure by the afternoon a lot of Gen-Z, women and youth will reach Jantar Mantar to raise their voice against the Election Commission. Protesting is our right. The police are telling us that we have not been given permission to protest. Six days ago, AAP had applied for official permission for a peaceful protest here,” he said.

Bharadwaj urged protesters not to be afraid of the police “even if they use lathis”.

Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha was also among those detained.

In Mumbai

The CJP has said it will hold its protest at Shivaji Park. It has also warned of protests across the country, followed by a stir at Jantar Mantar from October end, if Kumar does not step down.

“Gyanesh Kumar should resign and should face criminal charges,” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told the media in Mumbai on Thursday.

Asked about police denying them permission, Dipke said: “I am not afraid of going to jail. I will come back to protest again, again and again.”

Asked about the Opposition MPs’ planned protest against the Election Commission on October 6, he said the CJP would not be part of any political programme and would remain an independent movement.

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