11 Metro stations closed amid stir call (Img: X)
New Delhi: Security was intensified around Jantar Mantar on Friday as student organisations and activists planned a protest over the functioning of the Election Commission of India and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police have not granted permission for the proposed demonstration.
Barricades were placed on roads leading towards Jantar Mantar, while additional Delhi Police and central forces were deployed in the New Delhi district. Police sources said a sizeable gathering was expected at the protest site.
Authorities have imposed prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the New Delhi district. Police said activities including slogan shouting, dharnas and public speeches would not be permitted under the restrictions.
The proposed mobilisation has been announced by student and civil society groups, with demands including the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The organisations have raised concerns over the Election Commission's handling of electoral rolls and the SIR exercise.
Security measures have also affected public transport in central Delhi. Eleven Delhi Metro stations were closed for entry and exit as a precautionary measure, while interchange facilities remained available at select stations including Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi, INA and Central Secretariat.
The proposed protest comes amid a wider political and civil society debate over electoral-roll revisions. Opposition leaders and activists have criticised the Election Commission over the SIR process, while the poll panel has maintained that decisions concerning the exercise were taken through the prescribed institutional process.
The October 2 mobilisation is taking place alongside other protests planned in different parts of the country, including a separate demonstration announced by the Cockroach Janta Party in Mumbai.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced a major protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
Internet disruptions have been reported around Jantar Mantar, amid the restrictions imposed in the area under Section 163.
AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha have been removed from the protest site by police amid the ongoing commotion.
Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj arrived at Jantar Mantar to protest against the Election Commission and urged people to join the gathering.
Delhi: AAP state President Saurabh Bhardwaj says, "The whole of Delhi has been turned into a fortress right now, as if Mahmud of Ghazni is about to launch an attack. And... but to all our young companions—the young men, young women, and the elders—I want to say this: I have… pic.twitter.com/KY2y3lifrE
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) October 2, 2026
"Without using a car, I have reached Jantar Mantar. You too can reach here. I am sure by the afternoon a lot of Gen-Z, women and youth will reach Jantar Mantar to raise their voice against the Election Commission. Protesting is our right. The police are telling us that we have not been given permission to protest. Six days ago, AAP had applied for official permission for a peaceful protest here," Bharadwaj said.
He was later detained by police.
#WATCH: AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by police before the protest at Jantar Mantar@AamAadmiParty @Saurabh_MLAgk #JantarMantar pic.twitter.com/iJHuafnh94
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) October 2, 2026
Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj, who arrived at Jantar Mantar to protest against the Election Commission, has been detained by police.
According to Delhi Police, 8-9 security zones have been created in and around Jantar Mantar as part of the arrangements for the proposed protest, reported.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in New Delhi district ahead of the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an official said on Friday.
Public meetings or assemblies of five or more people
Processions, demonstrations, picketing and dharnas
Shouting slogans and making speeches
Carrying firearms, banners and placards
Carrying lathis, swords, sticks, brickbats or similar articles
"The order has been enforced to ensure public safety, maintain public order and facilitate smooth traffic movement, according to the notice," a senior police officer told
The Delhi Metro has closed entry and exit at 11 stations on Friday in view of the proposed protests at Jantar Mantar, the DMRC said.
The stations where entry and exit will remain closed until further notice are:
Janpath
Patel Chowk
Central Secretariat
Rajiv Chowk
Seva Teerth
Mandi House
Lok Kalyan Marg
INA
Chawri Bazar
Ramakrishna Ashram Marg
New Delhi
However, interchange facilities will remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations, the DMRC said.
DCP Sachin Sharma said no permission has been granted for any protest or march at Jantar Mantar against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and that preventive measures have been put in place.
"Permission has not been granted for any type of protest, march at Jantar Mantar and preventive measures have been taken. I would request everyone to abide by the law and cooperate with the police. Section 163 is in force here. Section 163 of the BNSS is in force in New Delhi. Therefore, I am making it clear that no unauthorised sit-in, protest or demonstration is allowed here. I request everyone to follow the law, be law-abiding and cooperate with the police," Sharma said
Delhi Police has issued a public notice stating that Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023 is in force in New Delhi district to ensure public safety, public order and smooth traffic movement.
Unauthorised gatherings, public speeches, slogan-shouting, processions, demonstrations, dharnas and other specified activities have been prohibited.
Delhi Police has urged citizens to comply with the order and cooperate with personnel deployed in the area. Violations will invite legal action as per law.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday said entry and exit at 11 metro stations will remain closed until further notice.
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
However, interchange facilities will remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations, the DMRC said in a post on X.
The affected stations are Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are in force in Delhi's New Delhi district, with heavy police deployment at Jantar Mantar in view of a protest call by activists, political leaders and civil society representatives.
In view of the protest call at Jantar Mantar today, Delhi Police have put up barricades and closed Jantar Mantar Road to traffic.
Section 163 BNSS is in force in New Delhi District. Please read the notice, for better understanding.@PTI_News#DPUpdates pic.twitter.com/Zfgrh0biPT
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) October 2, 2026
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has also been imposed at Jantar Mantar as part of the security arrangements.
Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory in view of restrictions and regulated movement around Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas on October 2.
Traffic diversions and regulations will be in place around Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, GPO, Tolstoy Marg, Jantar Mantar Road, Parliament Street and adjoining roads.
The traffic police has advised commuters to avoid the affected stretches wherever feasible, plan their journeys in advance and allow additional travel time. Motorists have also been asked to follow diversion signs and directions of traffic personnel to avoid congestion.
Security has been beefed up in the national capital ahead of the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Visuals from Patel Chowk show heightened security arrangements in the area.
Delhi Police and central security agencies have stepped up preparations for Friday's protests at Jantar Mantar after reviewing their handling of the demonstrations held two months ago by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), officials said.
As part of the review, police identified several security lapses, including allowing food deliveries to the protest site and the presence of broken pavements and walls in and around the New Delhi area that could be used by protesters as projectiles. “Stones from broken pavements were used as projectiles last time,” an official said.
Over the past two months, Delhi Police have also conducted anti-riot drills across the city and counselled personnel on handling protesters who record them on their phones or livestream from demonstration sites. The latest protests are centred on demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
