Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday criticised the protests in the national capital, calling them “extremely unfortunate” and accusing workers from the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Left groups and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) of provoking police personnel and security forces.

Her remarks came as around 1,000 protesters were detained while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar for a demonstration demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

In a post on X, Gupta alleged that protesters used the demonstration as an opportunity to create disorder and deliberately provoke security personnel into a confrontation. She said Delhi Police were working to maintain law and order amid the protests.

“What happened on the streets of Delhi today is extremely unfortunate,” the Chief Minister wrote, accusing workers from the four groups of creating chaos in the name of protest.

Gupta also thanked Delhi residents for remaining patient and calm during the demonstrations. She alleged that some protesters had attempted to disturb the atmosphere of harmony in the capital but credited the police and security forces with keeping the situation under control.

Addressing residents, she said they had shown “patience and wisdom” during what she described as a difficult situation.

Rekha Gupta praises Delhi Police for restraint

The Chief Minister specifically commended Delhi Police personnel for their conduct during the protests, saying they had maintained their composure while managing the demonstrators.

She said the personnel had acted responsibly, exercised restraint and placed the safety of ordinary citizens above all else.

Gupta also assured residents that her government would work to prevent disruptions to public safety, convenience and everyday life in Delhi. She added that the law would be enforced firmly.

Around 1,000 detained over march towards Jantar Mantar

Meanwhile, around 1,000 protesters had been detained across the national capital by Saturday, according to Delhi Police sources. The demonstrators were attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar as part of a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party.

Police continued to take demonstrators into preventive custody after informing them that permission had not been granted for the gathering, the sources said.

The CJP had announced its ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ protest for October 10, demanding the sacking of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Ahead of the planned demonstration, security arrangements were tightened across Delhi as authorities prepared to manage the gathering.

With ANI inputs