Thousands mobilise for CJP protest in Delhi as police block access to Jantar Mantar

Thousands of people were expected to join the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Saturday, October 10. However, an extensive security operation, mass detentions and restrictions across the capital prevented demonstrators from reaching the planned protest venue at Jantar Mantar.

Delhi Police had prepared for a turnout of around 20,000 people, deploying thousands of personnel and erecting barricades across key routes leading to central Delhi. The scale of the preparations reflected concerns over a repeat of the large demonstrations witnessed in the capital during the CJP's earlier agitation in July.

Police prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar

Despite the anticipated turnout, the planned gathering faced significant disruption from the early hours of Saturday. According to reports, no protesters had reached Jantar Mantar by around 1.20 pm.

Small groups assembled at other locations, including near Rajiv Chowk Metro station, where a crowd of around 100 to 150 people was dispersed by police. Other groups in Connaught Place were detained or scattered, while smaller gatherings remained at different locations in the vicinity.

By approximately 2.49 pm, around 2,000 people had been detained across Delhi, according to media reports. Many were intercepted before they could reach the protest venue and taken away in buses and vans to stadiums and other temporary detention centres.

Heavy security deployment across the capital

The authorities deployed a large contingent of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel, while barricades, traffic diversions and restrictions on public transport disrupted movement across central Delhi. Entry and exit were restricted at 45 metro stations, and several train services were cancelled amid concerns over congestion.

The CJP had called the demonstration to demand Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has maintained that the revision is part of the electoral-roll verification process.

The scale of the planned mobilisation, however, did not translate into a confirmed gathering of thousands at Jantar Mantar itself. The available reporting indicates that extensive preventive measures largely stopped protesters from assembling at the designated venue, making it important to distinguish the expected turnout from the number of people who actually reached the site.