Last Updated on October 11, 2026 1:43 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
Protest Likely To Continue
Our Reporters / New Delhi
A massive police operation across the national capital on Oct 10 overshadowed the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, with thousands of protesters, opposition leaders, student activists, lawyers and journalists detained in what critics described as one of the most extensive crackdowns on a political demonstration in recent years. The protest was called over allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and modifications linked to voter registration procedures. Delhi Police had refused permission for the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar, citing law-and-order concerns and prohibitory restrictions in central Delhi.
Massive Security Lockdown
Delhi resembled a security fortress through much of Saturday. Authorities deployed tens of thousands of police and paramilitary personnel, erected extensive barricades, imposed restrictions around central Delhi, closed dozens of Metro stations and enforced transport curbs to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. Mobile internet services were also suspended in parts of the city.
Reports from multiple media outlets suggested detention figures ranging from more than 2,000 to over 7,000 people during the course of the day, reflecting the scale of preventive action undertaken by police. [businesstoday.in], [telegraphindia.com],
Chennai: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event said, “…The opposition and the youth of this country are going to get justice. Mark my words, remember what I’m saying: you will see that the youth of this country, the boys and girls who’ve been attacked today in Delhi, the entire opposition is going to get justice.”
CJP Leaders Detained Inside Aircraft
One of the day’s most dramatic developments occurred at Delhi airport, where CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and senior leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained immediately after their Mumbai-Delhi flight landed.
According to party leaders, police personnel entered the aircraft before passengers disembarked and took them into custody. Videos circulated on social media showed the leaders arguing with police officers as they were escorted away.
CJP alleged that the detentions were aimed at decapitating the movement’s leadership before the protest could begin, while police maintained the action was preventive in nature.
Journalists among Those Detained
Serious concerns also emerged over the treatment of journalists covering the demonstrations. According to reports, journalists at multiple locations were briefly detained while covering protest activity. Independent media platform Newslaundry stated that its reporters were detained and their reporting phones seized before being released. The organisation said other journalists and YouTubers were also reportedly detained during the operation. [newslaundry.com]
Reuters also reported that representatives of two digital media outlets alleged that four of their reporters had been detained while covering the protest. The Hindu, on manorama and other outlets additionally reported detentions of journalists alongside activists and protesters at various locations in Delhi. [onmanorama.com], These reports have sparked renewed concerns among press freedom advocates regarding restrictions on media coverage during public demonstrations.
Opposition Leaders Rounded Up
The crackdown extended beyond CJP activists.
Among those detained during the day were:
- Arvind Kejriwal
- Mamata Banerjee
- Pinarayi Vijayan
- Manik Sarkar
- Brinda Karat
- M.A. Baby
- Several student leaders, lawyers and activists. Mamata Banerjee alleged she and fellow Trinamool Congress MPs were transported in a prison van and driven around for hours. Pinarayi Vijayan accused the government of turning Delhi into an “open prison.”
Allegations of High-Handedness
Civil rights groups, opposition parties and protest organisers accused authorities of employing excessive force and arbitrary detention. Reports indicated many protesters were detained before reaching central Delhi. Student groups alleged activists were intercepted at railway stations, Metro stations and key city entry points. Lawyers attempting to march from the Supreme Court area were also detained.
Critics argued that the measures went beyond standard crowd-control protocols and effectively prevented any meaningful exercise of the right to protest.
Delhi Police defended its actions by citing denial of permission for the event and concerns arising from previous protests, claiming organisers had failed to honour commitments made during earlier demonstrations.
Rahul Gandhi, INDIA Bloc Attack Government
The crackdown provoked sharp political reactions from opposition parties.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of suppressing democratic dissent and vowed the opposition would continue its campaign. Opposition leaders described the security operation as excessive and unconstitutional.
Shashi Tharoor termed the restrictions an “undeclared Emer-GenZ”, while DMK president M.K. Stalin said “dissent is not a crime”. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal described the situation as “worse than the Emergency”, according to reports. The BJP, meanwhile, defended the police response and accused opposition parties of politicising the issue. [hindustantimes.com]
UN Human Rights Intervention
The issue drew international attention when the United Nations Human Rights Office expressed concern about reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists.
In a statement, UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan urged Indian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly, exercise restraint and release anyone arbitrarily detained.
Protest Likely To Continue
Late Saturday evening, police sources indicated that most detainees had been released, though key CJP leaders reportedly remained in custody pending legal proceedings. The CJP subsequently announced a fresh call for supporters to gather again at Jantar Mantar on October 11, signalling that the confrontation over the Election Commission controversy is far from over.