Security was stepped up in central Delhi on Friday as student groups, political workers and civil society members prepared to gather at Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police has not granted permission for the proposed protest, which is linked to concerns over the Election Commission's functioning and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
DCP Sachin Sharma said no permission had been given for any protest or march at Jantar Mantar and urged people to follow the restrictions in place.
"Permission has not been granted for any type of protest, march at Jantar Mantar and preventive measures have been taken. I would request everyone to abide by the law and cooperate with the police. Section 163 is in force here. Section 163 of the BNSS is in force in New Delhi. Therefore, I am making it clear that no unauthorised sit-in, protest or demonstration is allowed here. I request everyone to follow the law, be law-abiding and cooperate with the police," Sharma said, reported PTI.
Under the order, unauthorised gatherings, processions, demonstrations, dharnas, public speeches and slogan-shouting have been prohibited. Police and Rapid Action Force personnel, along with a riot control vehicle, have been deployed around Jantar Mantar. Barricades have also been placed on roads leading towards the protest site.
AAP, student groups among those expected
The proposed mobilisation was announced by AISA national president Neha Bora, Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) have also announced their participation.
AAP leaders and workers, along with members of the Indian Youth Congress, are also expected to join. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, Atishi and Sanjay Singh have separately appealed to people to participate in the gathering.
Police sources cited by PTI said around 3,000 to 4,000 people could attend, prompting additional security arrangements in the area.
11 Metro stations shut for entry and exit
The security measures have also affected Delhi Metro services. Entry and exit at 11 stations have been closed until further notice, although interchange facilities remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat.
The affected stations include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi.
Mumbai protest also planned
A parallel protest has been announced in Mumbai by Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement. He has called for a "Jail Bharo Andolan" at Shivaji Park at 4 pm on October 2.
The protests come amid a wider political dispute over the Election Commission's handling of electoral rolls and the SIR exercise. The ECI has maintained that decisions taken by its three-member panel, including those concerning SIR, were unanimous.