Jantar Mantar protest: Delhi Police heighten security, shut metro stations over anti-ECI rally

New Delhi: Security was heightened across central Delhi on Friday in anticipation of a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over purported discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Delhi Police refused authorisation for the proposed protest and implemented heightened security measures to manage anticipated crowds, according to police sources. Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) units, alongside riot control vehicles, were stationed at Jantar Mantar.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation shut down 11 metro stations, including Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, and New Delhi, until further notice. Nonetheless, interchange facilities remained operational at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, INA, New Delhi, and Central Secretariat.

The demonstration was organised by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, and Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan. Organisers are demanding the dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing grievances concerning electoral roll discrepancies and poll management.

Police stated that significant crowds were expected to assemble at Jantar Mantar, prompting authorities to request additional security personnel from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Security has been reinforced throughout central Delhi, with officers positioned at strategic intersections and traffic management plans enacted around the Jantar Mantar vicinity.

The planned rally unfolds amidst ongoing political and public debate surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the administrative functioning of the Election Commission. Police noted that further precautionary protocols will be enforced depending on developments and the movement of demonstrators.

Commenting on the security deployment for the Jantar Mantar gathering, New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma stated, "Section 163 of the BNSS is in force in New Delhi, and protests, demonstrations, marches and similar activities are not permitted. Preventive arrangements have been made, and everyone is requested to follow the law and cooperate with the police. As Section 163 is in force, people are advised not to come to the area for protests or demonstrations. Necessary circulars, notifications and public awareness messages regarding roads and Metro services are being issued."

The unrest was sparked by an investigative report published by The Indian Express, which disclosed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had lodged objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month span regarding decisions and processes tied to the Special Intensive Revision initiative and other electoral procedures.

ANI