Security personnel deployed at Jantar Mantar amid a protest call against CEC Gyanesh Kumar (Img: File Photo)
New Delhi: Security was intensified across central Delhi on Friday as a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was scheduled to take place on Gandhi Jayanti. Delhi Police has denied permission for the gathering, while additional personnel have been deployed in and around New Delhi.
The protest has been called by the All India Students' Association (AISA), Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan. The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 11 am, with police sources estimating that around 3,000 to 4,000 people could attend.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are currently in force across Delhi's New Delhi district. Heavy police deployment has been made at Jantar Mantar and other sensitive locations amid the protest call involving activists, political leaders and civil society representatives.
Authorities have also put security and crowd-control arrangements in place in the surrounding areas to manage the expected movement of protesters.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced that entry and exit at 11 stations will remain closed until further notice in view of the security situation.
Service Update The entry and exit at the following metro stations will remain closed till further notice. However, interchange facility will remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations: 1. Janpath 2. Patel Chowk 3. Central… pic.twitter.com/HhCLkhe7W3
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) October 2, 2026
The affected stations include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi.
However, interchange facilities will continue to be available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations, according to the DMRC.
The demonstration is focused on demands concerning the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Organisers and participating groups have raised concerns over electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The developments come amid a wider political and civil society debate over the functioning of the Election Commission and the revision of electoral rolls.
