Protests intensify at Jantar Mantar: Over 100 detained, internet service shut down until 9 pm

October 2, 2026

New Delhi: Protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar intensified at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Friday. Police detained a large number of protesters, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders. During the protest, some people also raised slogans of “Gyanesh Go Back.”

Protesters allege that serious questions have been raised about the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The groups involved in the protest are demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Protesters, including AAP leaders, detained

During the protest, AAP’s Delhi State President Saurabh Bhardwaj and other party leaders were detained. Police also stopped protesters trying to reach Jantar Mantar from Ashoka Road.

Delhi Police had not granted permission for the protest. Despite this, student organizations and other groups had called for a gathering. Police barricaded the roads leading to Jantar Mantar and increased security in the area.

Section 163 imposed in New Delhi district

In view of the protests, Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) was imposed in New Delhi district. Under this, unauthorized gatherings, demonstrations, processions, and other mass activities are prohibited.

Internet services in the area were also reported to have been suspended until 9 p.m. As part of security measures, additional police forces were deployed in several areas of central Delhi.

Student organizations announced a protest

Several organizations, including the All India Students Association (AISA), the Students Federation of India (SFI), and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), had called for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 2.

These organizations have lodged their objections regarding the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR of voter lists. Organizers had predicted a large number of people would participate in the protest.

‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ Announced in Mumbai

Protests were also planned in Mumbai over the same issue. Abhijeet Deepak, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) movement, had announced a ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on October 2.

According to Deepak, the Mumbai Police initially denied permission for the proposed protest. The police later clarified that they were not authorized to grant permission for a gathering in Shivaji Park due to a 2013 Bombay High Court order. The police also stated that the area is a ‘silence zone’.

What is the controversy surrounding SIR?

The Jantar Mantar protest took place amid the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral voter lists. A report in *Indian Express* claimed that Election Commissioners **Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi** had raised objections to several decisions and procedures over a period of about 10 months.

However, **the Election Commission has stated that all decisions, including the SIR, were taken unanimously by the three-member Election Commission.** The Commission described discussions and differences during the decision-making process as part of the normal institutional process.