Over 500 Detained as Police Block Election Commission Protest at Jantar Mantar
Heavy police deployment and multi-layered barricading turned Jantar Mantar in the Parliament Street subdivision into a fortress on Gandhi Jayanti, blocking access to a planned demonstration against the Election Commission. More than 500 protesters, including political leaders and student activists, were detained throughout the day as authorities enforced prohibitory orders across the area.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were enforced across the entire Parliament Street subdivision, barring public assemblies of five or more people, speeches, processions, and the carrying of banners, placards, or weapons. Although demonstrations were permitted until 5 p.m. at the designated Jantar Mantar protest site, security forces blocked the two main entry points from Sansad Marg and Kerala House, preventing protesters from reaching the venue.
Around 4,000 personnel from the Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces, and the Rapid Action Force were deployed in and around the locality, using buses, PCR vans, and drones to monitor the area. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation shut entry and exit gates at 12 stations, including Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat. Public vehicles were barred from Ashoka Road, Jantar Mantar Road, and Sansad Marg, while disruptions to mobile internet services hindered digital UPI payments for nearby shopkeepers and gig workers.
Several student organisations attempted to march to Jantar Mantar from different starting points across central Delhi. The Students' Federation of India and Democratic Youth Federation of India organised marches from Mandi House, while the National Students' Union of India began from Raisina Road. Former All India Students' Association president N. Sai Balaji said members shortlisted routes after conducting morning surveys, eventually marching from the Vice President's enclave with roughly 350 people before detentions started. Political activist Yogendra Yadav and AISA national president Neha Bora were intercepted by police at Samrat Ashok Chowk after heading out from Patel Chowk.
Around 10:30 a.m., Aam Aadmi Party Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh were forcibly detained by police at Janpath Lane. Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi was also among the detainees. Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia criticised the security operation, stating that police were determined to crush dissent and suppress demands regarding the Election Commission.
Detentions continued into the evening as approximately 500 workers from the Indian Youth Congress arrived and around 50 were taken into custody. Between 20 and 25 buses and vans were used to transport detainees away from the area, while Ms. Bora issued a video statement calling for renewed demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
