After detentions on Gandhi Jayanti, student groups and opposition parties renew protest call; security agencies on alert at Jantar Mantar
Abhijeet Dipke announces nationwide phased movement from October 10 against the Election Commission and alleged irregularities in voter lists
New Delhi. The political confrontation in the national capital over the functioning of the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and the demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continues. After the detention of AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj and several other leaders and students on October 2, various student and social organisations have once again called for people to gather at Jantar Mantar and stage a protest today.
Meanwhile, social activist and student leader Abhijeet Dipke has announced that a major nationwide movement will begin from October 10 over the issue.
Reports on the October 2 protest said that Delhi Police had imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in parts of New Delhi and deployed heavy security around Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas.
Section 163 in Force: Delhi Police Takes Strict Stand
Delhi Police has stated that restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS are in force in the New Delhi area to maintain law and order.
Restrictions on gatherings: According to the report, authorities have made it clear that assemblies, sit-ins, marches, speeches or slogan-shouting without prior permission will not be allowed.
Barricading and surveillance: Multiple layers of barricading have been put in place around Jantar Mantar, Patel Chowk, Janpath and roads leading towards Parliament Street. Security personnel are monitoring movement in the area and keeping a close watch on people arriving by buses and metro services. Reports on October 2 said several metro stations had also restricted entry and exit amid the protests.
Abhijeet Dipke Announces Movement from October 10
Meanwhile, the protest movement led by activists and student groups is being projected as a longer campaign.
Abhijeet Dipke has announced that a broader movement will begin from October 10 against what he described as the Election Commission's alleged partisan functioning and the alleged deletion of names of lakhs of voters.
He alleged that the government was trying to suppress the democratic voices of citizens and students through police action and restrictions under Section 163, but said the protests would continue.
According to reports, Dipke has called for a fresh mobilisation at Jantar Mantar on October 10 if CEC Gyanesh Kumar does not resign. The proposed protest is being described by his organisation as a nationwide mobilisation.
The proposed movement would seek to bring together universities, student organisations and social platforms from different parts of the country around demands concerning electoral reforms and transparency in voter rolls.
INDIA Bloc and Other Organisations' Phased Programme
Amid the continuing tensions around Jantar Mantar, the previously announced programme of opposition parties is also underway.
October 2 to 8: “Save Democracy” marches at district headquarters across the country.
October 6: A proposed protest march by opposition MPs to Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters, in New Delhi.
Mumbai connection: Following protests at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, coordination between Maharashtra and Delhi over the issue is expected to continue.
The October 2 demonstrations in Delhi involved opposition leaders and student organisations, with police detaining several protesters amid restrictions in the New Delhi area.
