-Friday World Oct 2,2026
Why is the protest happening at Jantar Mantar?
A major protest was called at Jantar Mantar in Delhi from 11 am today. This protest was against the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The organisers are AISA (All India Students' Association) President Neha Bora, Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha. They are joined by NSUI, SFI, DYFI, Youth Congress and Aam Aadmi Party workers. On the same issue, a parallel agitation by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) is going on in Mumbai.
Their demands are:
1. Stop the game of deleting names from voter lists in the name of
Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
2. CEC Gyanesh Kumar should resign or be impeached.
3. There should be transparency in the functioning of the Election Commission and voters' rights should be protected.
The protesters allege that crores of voters' names have been removed without notice under the SIR process, putting democracy in danger. The Election Commission has, however, rejected these allegations.
Police denies permission, 11 Metro stations shut
Delhi Police has refused to grant permission for this demonstration. The DCP said that Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), earlier Section 144, has been imposed in the New Delhi district. That means gathering of 5 or more people, sloganeering, carrying banners - all are prohibited.
Tight security arrangements have been made:
- Iron barricading around Jantar Mantar, area divided into 8 to 9 zones.
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- Deployment of CAPF, Rapid Action Force along with Delhi Police.
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- Entry-exit of 11 Metro stations - Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, R K Ashram Marg, New Delhi and Seva Teerth
closed, though interchange remains operational.
- Traffic diversion at Connaught Place, Tolstoy Marg, Sansad Marg.
According to police sources, 3000 to 4000 people were expected to gather.
Saurabh Bharadwaj detained, ruckus continues
In the morning, AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj reached Jantar Mantar on foot and tried to join the protest. Police immediately detained him. He said that AAP had applied a few days ago for a peaceful protest, but no reply was given on permission.
Several students of SFI and DYFI were also taken away in police buses.
What an irony on Gandhi Jayanti!
This is the biggest irony. At Rajghat, VIPs are offering flowers, praising Gandhi's Satyagraha, and on the other hand, at Jantar Mantar, a permission slip is being demanded for the same Satyagraha. In 1930, Gandhiji did not ask for permission from the British Viceroy to break the salt law. He had said - "Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good."
Today, on Bapu's birthday, remembering his same teaching, the youth are on the streets - slogans are "Save Democracy, Stop SIR" and *"Loktantra Bachao". On one side is the smiling picture of Gandhiji, on the other side are barricades.
Is suppressing the voice of dissent on Gandhi Jayanti itself a true tribute to Gandhi? This question is echoing in the air of Delhi today.
Sajjadali Nayani ✍
Friday World Oct 2,2026
#GandhiJayanti #JantarMantar #DelhiProtest #SaveDemocracy #SIR #ElectionCommission #CECGyaneshKumar #AISA #Section163 #GandhiJayanti2026
