CJP Protest in Delhi: Over 3,000 Detained as Police Seal Off Jantar Mantar

New Delhi awoke on Saturday to a scene that resembled a fortified zone rather than a bustling metropolis. Over 3,000 people—students, activists, a few senior politicians and ordinary citizens—found themselves in police custody as the city prepared for the Citizens’ Justice Party (CJP) rally at Jantar Mantar.

The protest, which was aimed at forcing the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, was flagged as “unauthorised” by the authorities. In response, the police rolled out what officials described as an “unprecedented” security ring: 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel, dozens of roadblocks, internet throttling, and the closure of 45 Metro stations around the historic protest site.

Among the first to be taken away were CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. They were intercepted at about 10:30 a.m. near Indira Gandhi International Airport while heading to Jantar Mantar. Their detention set the tone for the day—no large crowd was allowed to gather in one place.

Instead, the agitation splintered into smaller, scattered gatherings across the capital. Police ferried detainees to locations like Chhatrasal Stadium and various police stations, releasing most of them by evening. A few minor flashpoints did flare up: stones were hurled at a bus in Jhandewalan carrying arrested protesters, and a scuffle broke out near Akashwani Bhavan after some demonstrators tried to breach barricades.

Social‑media influencer Dhruv Rathee was also nabbed, not at a rally but from his home in Gurugram. According to a post on the CJP’s X account, around 50 plain‑clothes officers arrived at his residence at 8 a.m. and took him into custody.

Political leaders on both sides of the aisle weighed in. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta warned that “Delhi will not be held hostage,” condemning the protest as a threat to public order. In contrast, Congress figures such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge blasted the mass arrests as evidence of a “terrified” government trying to muzzle dissent.Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal were also detained after attempting to join the demonstration. Kejriwal, speaking from a police‑guarded residence, said, “They want to suppress this issue of ‘vote chori’ … but the people will not allow this to happen.”

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court signalled a special sitting on Sunday to hear a contempt petition arguing that the blanket closure of Metro services and other curbs violated a previous Court order. A bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana is expected to hear the matter.

With schools, colleges and courts shifted online, drones hovering over key intersections, and body‑camera‑equipped officers scanning crowds, the city seemed to be in a state of high alert. Yet, despite the heavy hand, CJP spokesperson Ajinkya Shinde insisted the movement would march again on Sunday, refusing to rest until the CEC steps down.

The day closed with most detainees released, but the atmosphere remained tense. Whether the protest will swell again tomorrow, or whether the security measures will hold the capital in a prolonged stand‑off, remains to be seen.