AAP leaders and student activists are detained as security is tightened around Jantar Mantar over the SIR voter-list controversy. (Img: X)
New Delhi: More than 500 protesters, including AAP leaders Atishi Marlena, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Anurag Dhanda and Sanjay Singh, were detained during a high-profile protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Friday against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The demonstration over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has intensified the political debate over voter-list verification and alleged deletion of eligible voters, while heavy police deployment, barricades, Metro restrictions and traffic curbs disrupted movement across central Delhi.
The protest brought together AAP leaders, student organisations and activists demanding action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.
Delhi Police detained AAP leaders Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha during the mobilisation. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was stopped by police at North Avenue while he was attempting to proceed towards Jantar Mantar.
The detention of Atishi, an AAP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, became one of the major developments of the protest, drawing widespread attention as visuals and updates from the demonstration circulated on social media.
Bharadwaj also alleged that the protesters were being detained despite their intention to hold a peaceful demonstration. He maintained that the AAP had approached authorities seeking permission for the protest.
Over 500 Protesters Detained As Crowds Move Towards Jantar Mantar
The scale of the police action grew as protesters approached Jantar Mantar from different directions.
According to police, around 700 SFI members attempted to reach the protest site and were stopped near the Ashoka Road roundabout, with several detained.
A senior police official later put the total number of detainees at around 500, including AAP leaders and members of AISA, SFI and other student organisations. An earlier police estimate had placed the number of detainees at around 150.
The changing detention figures reflected the movement of protesters around the central Delhi protest zone and the expanding police operation.
SFI, AISA And NSUI Activists Also Held
The demonstration extended beyond political parties, with several student organisations joining the protest.
Activists associated with SFI, AISA and NSUI were among those detained. Several DYFI and SFI activists were also reportedly taken into custody as they attempted to reach the protest venue.
The student groups have raised concerns over the Election Commission’s electoral-roll revision exercise and alleged exclusion of eligible voters.
The allegations are part of a wider political dispute surrounding SIR. The electoral-roll revision process involves verification and updating of voter records, with eligible citizens able to seek inclusion or correction through the prescribed procedure.
Barricades Breached Near Firoz Shah Road
Security arrangements around Jantar Mantar were significantly strengthened ahead of the demonstration.
Police installed barricades at several points and deployed additional personnel to prevent unauthorised gatherings and control the movement of protesters.
Some protesters were seen crossing barricades near Firoz Shah Road as they attempted to move closer to the designated protest area.
The developments added to the tension in central Delhi, where police were simultaneously managing the protest, traffic movement and security arrangements around key government and public locations.
Why Did Delhi Police Deny Permission?
Delhi Police had denied permission for the proposed protest and stepped up security around Jantar Mantar.
Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were in force in the New Delhi district. Police cited public order, public safety and traffic management requirements while imposing restrictions on gatherings and movement.
The police deployment came amid expectations of a sizeable gathering at Jantar Mantar, with authorities preparing for possible crowd-management challenges.
Bharadwaj Questions Protest Restrictions
Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the decision to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar, pointing out that the location is traditionally used for demonstrations.
He said the AAP had submitted requests seeking permission before the protest and maintained that the party wanted to raise concerns over the electoral-roll revision process.
The AAP leader also appealed to supporters to reach the protest site through available routes despite the restrictions imposed around the area.
Delhi Metro Shuts Entry And Exit At 11 Stations
The protest also had a major impact on public transport in the national capital.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation closed entry and exit facilities at 11 stations amid heightened security arrangements in central Delhi. The affected stations included Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi.
Interchange facilities remained available at selected stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat.
The Metro restrictions meant that commuters travelling through central Delhi had to make alternate arrangements or use interchange facilities where available.
Traffic Curbs Add To Central Delhi Disruption
Traffic restrictions were also imposed around Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas.
Key stretches around Parliament Street, Connaught Place, Tolstoy Marg and other parts of central Delhi were affected by security arrangements and diversions.
The combination of police barricades, road restrictions and Metro station closures created additional challenges for office-goers, visitors and people travelling through the heart of the capital.
Internet Services Reportedly Suspended
Internet services were also reported to have been suspended at the protest site and nearby areas as security measures remained in place.
The reported internet restrictions, along with barricading, police deployment and public transport curbs, added another layer to the disruption around Jantar Mantar.
The situation quickly turned the protest into a major law-and-order and public-mobility issue in central Delhi.
What Is The SIR Controversy Behind The Protest?
At the centre of the protest is the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The protesters and opposition-linked groups have alleged that the revision process could result in eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls. Their demand for action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar is linked to these allegations and their concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission.
The Election Commission’s electoral-roll revision process involves verification of voter records and updating electoral databases. Citizens whose names are missing or whose details require correction can use the prescribed electoral procedures to seek inclusion or rectification.
The controversy has brought issues such as voter verification, deletion of names, documentation, Booth Level Officer checks and electoral-roll safeguards into sharper public focus.
Why The Jantar Mantar Protest Is Significant
Friday’s demonstration has become one of the latest flashpoints in the wider political dispute over SIR and the Election Commission.
The detention of prominent AAP leaders, participation by student organisations and the large-scale police deployment have given the protest national attention.
For ordinary citizens, the controversy has a direct connection with a basic electoral question: whether their names appear correctly on the voter list and what they can do if they are missing.
The disruption in central Delhi has also widened the impact of the protest beyond politics, affecting Metro commuters, motorists, office-goers and people travelling through the New Delhi area.
What Happens Next?
The political debate over SIR and electoral-roll revision is expected to continue, with opposition parties and civil society groups continuing to raise concerns over voter inclusion and deletion.
The immediate focus will remain on the detained protesters, further demonstrations and the Election Commission’s handling of concerns surrounding the revised electoral rolls.
The developments at Jantar Mantar also underline how the voter-list dispute has moved beyond electoral administration and become a wider political and public debate involving election transparency, voter rights, administrative verification and the functioning of constitutional institutions.
