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Heavy security forces have been deployed outside Jantar Mantar (Img: Screengrab from IANS X video)
New Delhi: Delhi has stepped up security ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. The demonstration, led by party founder Abhijeet Dipke, seeks the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
More than 15,000 Delhi Police personnel have reportedly been deployed to manage the anticipated gathering, while around 26,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel are expected to be present in the city. The combined deployment could exceed 40,000 personnel as authorities prepare for the protest.
The CJP has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and has demanded accountability from CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The party has been raising the issue through public statements and demonstrations, including a protest in Mumbai on October 2.
The latest demonstration has been planned at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. However, Delhi Police reportedly rejected the organisers’ request for permission, citing public interest.
The controversy surrounding the SIR exercise intensified following an investigative report by The Indian Express. According to the report, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections at least 14 times over a 10-month period concerning decisions and procedures associated with the exercise.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has alleged that approximately 13 crore voters have been removed from electoral rolls since 2024. He has also argued that changes to voter lists could have implications for electoral outcomes, pointing to the narrow vote-share difference between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Election Commission has rejected the allegations, maintaining that key decisions, including those concerning the SIR process, were taken unanimously by the full commission.
Authorities have strengthened security around Jantar Mantar and key approach roads ahead of the planned demonstration. Barricades have been installed at strategic locations, and security personnel have been positioned at important entry and exit points.
Announcements in Hindi and English have warned against gatherings, processions, road blockades and other activities prohibited under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The extensive deployment reflects the authorities’ preparations for a potentially large turnout and their efforts to prevent disruption to traffic and public order.
Security arrangements have also affected public transport in the capital.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) initially announced that entry and exit would be suspended at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on Friday until Saturday. The list was subsequently revised to 45 stations.
Railway operations were also affected, with mail and express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday reportedly cancelled because of the possibility of heavy road congestion.
The restrictions and cancellations were expected to affect commuters and passengers travelling through the capital during the protest period.
The CJP’s demonstration places renewed focus on allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions and the Election Commission’s decision-making process. While the party is demanding the CEC’s resignation, the Election Commission has denied the allegations.
The protest’s turnout, the response from the authorities and any further developments concerning the SIR controversy remain key points to watch as the situation unfolds in Delhi.
As Abhijeet Dipke left for Delhi from Mumbai to lead the protest at Jantar Mantar, the CJP posted on X, “Jantar Mantar 2.0 has begun. Gyanesh Kumar, your time of facilitating vote chori is over".
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, in a conversation, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “afraid as he fears that the people of this country will not vote for him after this”.
Defending the group's planned protest at Jantar Mantar, he said, “Protesting is our fundamental right. Article 19 grants us the fundamental right to protest in a democratic and peaceful manner, and that is exactly what we intend to do.”
When asked if he would be arrested upon reaching Delhi, he said, "If they want to detain or arrest me, let them go ahead. I am ready for it; let them arrest or detain me. It makes no difference to me. Invoke the UAPA, invoke the NSA—go ahead and do it. But we will keep fighting for free and fair elections and to save this country's democracy."
