Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke has criticised the restrictions imposed in Delhi ahead of the organisation’s planned protest, arguing that the authorities would rather bring the national capital to a standstill and inconvenience millions of people than allow a peaceful demonstration at a designated protest site.
Questioning the impact of the measures introduced by the Narendra Modi government, Dipke asked how many people would be affected by such a shutdown. His remarks came ahead of the CJP’s planned October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Dipke argued that the restrictions would cause widespread disruption to ordinary citizens while attempting to prevent protesters from reaching the designated venue.
Metro restrictions and train cancellations draw criticism
The criticism followed a series of security measures announced ahead of Saturday’s protest. The Railways cancelled certain Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10. Delhi Police also asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to consider closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations to restrict the movement of people heading towards the demonstration.
The Delhi Police denied permission for the CJP’s planned protest, citing prohibitory orders. Authorities also stepped up security arrangements in the capital ahead of the demonstration, which was expected to draw activists and opposition supporters.
Dipke maintained that Jantar Mantar was a designated protest site and argued that police permission should not be necessary to hold a demonstration there. He also said the protest would go ahead despite the restrictions.
Restrictions reach the Supreme Court
The curbs also came under scrutiny in the Supreme Court on Friday, with lawyers raising concerns over the cancellation of trains and the proposed closure of Metro station gates. The court acknowledged the right to assemble and protest but said demonstrations must be conducted within the law, while seeking further details to assess the restrictions and the proposed gathering.
The planned demonstration by the CJP and the All India Students’ Association is directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The organisers have alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and are demanding his resignation, while the Election Commission has maintained that the revision process is incomplete and that people wrongly removed from draft rolls can enrol again.