New Delhi is bracing for another tense day on Sunday. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for a fresh protest at Jantar Mantar at 10 am, barely a day after Delhi Police detained thousands of people in one of the biggest single-day crackdowns the capital has seen in years. The party says it will not back down until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
What happened on Saturday
Saturday’s protest was meant to be a show of strength at Jantar Mantar. Instead, it became a city-wide cat-and-mouse game between demonstrators and the police. Delhi Police, which had denied permission for the gathering, detained more than 7,000 people across the capital as protesters tried to converge on the site.
The scale of the security operation was striking. Over 20,000 police and Central Armed Police Force personnel were deployed across Delhi, with around 6,500 stationed near Jantar Mantar alone. Traffic was diverted at 30 key points from 6 am, metro stations were shut and mobile internet was suspended in parts of central Delhi.
By Saturday evening, most of those detained had been released. But two names stayed behind bars: CJP founders Abhijeet Dipke and Saurav Das, who remained in police custody. Delhi Metro reopened all its station gates late Saturday, ending a 25-hour closure.
Big names caught in the crackdown
The detentions were not limited to activists and students. Among those held were some of the most recognisable faces in Indian opposition politics:
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar were all detained.
- YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also picked up by police during the day.
- In Mumbai, over 400 people were detained at the August Kranti Maidan demonstration, including actor Imran Khan, members of activist Tushar Gandhi’s organisation and CPI-M supporters.
Mamata Banerjee gave a vivid account of her experience. She said she and her colleagues were sitting at a bus stand near their residence when police moved in. “Within a minute, they removed us, forcibly taking us away in a prison van, as if we were wanted criminals. I have never experienced anything like this,” she said. Describing the situation in Delhi as having gone “beyond Emergency”, she invoked a comparison that carries deep weight in Indian political memory.
Two police personnel were also injured during the day’s events in Delhi.
The demand behind the protests
At the heart of the confrontation is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the opposition’s “vote chori” allegation. The CJP, backed by the INDIA bloc, wants Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down. The Election Commission has not publicly responded, and the government has rejected the opposition’s characterisation of the exercise.
CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde struck a defiant note after Saturday’s detentions. “As many people as you detain, we will not go back till Gyanesh Kumar resigns. We will head to Jantar Mantar again at 10 am tomorrow,” he said.
Political reactions pour in
Arvind Kejriwal questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X about the whereabouts of the detained CJP leaders, while Rahul Gandhi urged protesting students to keep asking questions and described the shutdown of central Delhi as a disproportionate response.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta pushed back hard. She accused Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal of coordinating with the CJP and turning Delhi into a battleground, insisting the capital could not be held hostage by movements that lacked police permission. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk condemned the arrests and warned he may sit on a hunger strike if restrictions are not withdrawn within 24 hours.
What to expect on Sunday
The Delhi Traffic Police has warned of possible diversions from 6 am around Jantar Mantar, Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, Mandi House and nearby areas. Commuters heading to railway stations, bus terminals and the airport should allow extra travel time.
The story is far from over. The INDIA bloc has announced a protest march in Delhi on Monday over the same issue, with a delegation planning to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The Supreme Court is also set to hear petitions related to Saturday’s restrictions and detentions.
FAQs
Why is the CJP protesting at Jantar Mantar?
The Cockroach Janta Party is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which the opposition has termed “vote chori”.
How many people were detained on Saturday?
Delhi Police detained over 7,000 people across the capital on Saturday, though most were released by the evening. CJP founders Abhijeet Dipke and Saurav Das remained in custody.
Which political leaders were detained?
Former and current chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar were detained, along with YouTuber Dhruv Rathee. Over 400 people were also detained in Mumbai, including actor Imran Khan.
What happens next?
The INDIA bloc has announced a protest march in Delhi on Monday and plans to approach the Chief Justice of India. The Supreme Court will also hear petitions related to the restrictions and detentions.
With the CJP vowing to return to Jantar Mantar at 10 am on Sunday and security forces on high alert, the standoff shows no sign of easing. Whether the day passes peacefully or repeats Saturday’s chaos may well define the next phase of India’s biggest electoral-roll controversy in years.
