Massive protests erupted against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Friday, leading to the detention of more than 500 protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Among those taken into custody were Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj and party MLA Sanjeev Jha, reports Times of India.
Writing on social media platform X, Bharadwaj stated that over 500 people had reached the venue ahead of the scheduled demonstration, posting “GenZ rocks”.
In an official statement on X, AAP noted that despite the peaceful nature of the protest, police arrested Jha and Bharadwaj, asserting that the movement would continue.
The demonstration was convened following announcements by AAP, the All India Students’ Association (AISA), the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and the Indian Youth Congress (IYC).
Amid the rising crowds, mobile internet services were disrupted in Jantar Mantar area, with subscribers receiving messages stating that internet services were suspended “as per government instructions” until further notice.
Opposition parties alongside the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The criticism intensified following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period regarding decisions and orders, several of which were reportedly issued without their prior knowledge.
The Election Commission subsequently issued a clarification stating that the three-member commission had taken all decisions, including those concerning the SIR, unanimously.
In Mumbai, the CJP initiated its nationwide agitation from Shivaji Park, led by party Founder Abhijeet Dipke.
Dipke, who was previously detained by Mumbai Police ahead of Friday march and later released, published a video alongside an auto driver urging commuters and local residents to assemble at Shivaji Park at 4pm.
Speaking in Mumbai, Dipke insisted that the appointment of the CEC must be transparent and involve civil society.
Police forces in both metropolitan cities denied official permission for the gatherings.
In New Delhi, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were enforced, prohibiting assemblies of five or more persons, processions, picketing, and demonstrations.
Delhi deputy commissioner of police (DCP) confirmed that these restrictions were imposed to ensure public safety, maintain public order, and facilitate smooth traffic movement.
Moreover, the Delhi Metro suspended entry and exit operations across 11 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, and New Delhi, until further notice.
In Mumbai, police cited a 2013 Bombay High Court ruling designating Shivaji Park as a silence zone as the basis for withholding permission.
