Dozens detained as anti–Election Commission protests hit Delhi and Mumbai

New Delhi/Mumbai: Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were held in Delhi and Mumbai on Friday, with police detaining dozens of activists and political leaders as they attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar in the capital and Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

In Delhi, security was tightened across central areas and all routes to Jantar Mantar were blocked ahead of the demonstration, which was organised by several groups on Gandhi Jayanti. Delhi Police detained RJD MP Manoj Jha as he was on his way to the protest site. From inside a police vehicle, Jha said: “Today is Gandhi Jayanti. Have some shame.” CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby and Rajya Sabha MP AA Rahim were also among those held at Jantar Mantar.

Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained after arriving at the venue, while Maktoob journalist Fida Fathima reported that police tried to forcibly remove her from the site, dragging her towards a bus. She resisted and was not taken into custody. Entry and exit at 11 Delhi Metro stations were closed as a precautionary measure ahead of the proposed stir.

In Mumbai, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called for a “final call to save democracy” with a protest at Gate No. 6 of Shivaji Park Ground at 4 pm. A CJP delegation was scheduled to meet officials at the Shivaji Park police station at 11 am ahead of the demonstration. Heavy police deployment was reported outside the ground, with some residents objecting to the use of the park for the protest over concerns about inconvenience.

Organisers in both cities have alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and have sought Kumar’s removal, even as police in Mumbai have cited court orders and civic regulations in restricting gatherings at Shivaji Park.