CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj and several party workers were detained by police during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 2 against the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration was linked to objections raised over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest had been announced by social activists and student groups, including All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, advocate Prashant Bhushan and RJD MP Manoj Jha. The organisers had called for greater accountability from the Election Commission and raised concerns over the electoral-roll revision process.
Delhi Police had not granted permission for the proposed Jantar Mantar demonstration. In view of the expected gathering, security was strengthened across central Delhi, with multi-layer barricading and additional police and paramilitary personnel deployed around the protest site.
Police said several thousand personnel were deployed, including district and reserve forces, Rapid Action Force and other paramilitary units. Roads leading towards Jantar Mantar were barricaded and security agencies also prepared to monitor the gathering through CCTV and other measures.
Bharadwaj reached Jantar Mantar and appealed for the protest to remain peaceful and constitutional. He also raised concerns over the restrictions imposed around the venue. Several other protesters were detained as police moved to control the gathering.
The protest comes amid a wider political and legal debate over the SIR exercise and electoral-roll revision. Opposition parties, student organisations and civil society groups have raised objections to the process, while the Election Commission has maintained that electoral-roll revision is part of its mandate and established procedures.
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