Delhi Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar Enter Day 2; Journalists, Student Activists Detained

Protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar entered their second day on Sunday, October 11, with Delhi Police detaining student activists, members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and journalists at Connaught Place. Demonstrations were also reported in Mumbai and Goa, as allegations of police excesses and restrictions on protesters continued to emerge.

Delhi Police detained workers of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and All India Youth Federation (AIYF) during a protest at Connaught Place’s Inner Circle. CJP also alleged that police detained and harassed members of its team during the second day of demonstrations near Jantar Mantar.

The protests were organised against Gyanesh Kumar, with CJP raising concerns over alleged electoral roll irregularities. CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were detained at the airport ahead of the planned “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest, were later released. Police had denied permission for the demonstration, citing law-and-order concerns, and tightened security across Delhi.

Journalists detained in Delhi

More than half a dozen journalists were reportedly taken into custody on Sunday. These included two journalists from independent outlet PEEK TV and three from The Indian Express Hindi. PEEK TV later said its journalists had been released and alleged that police used force against its team, including a female video journalist, and broke its microphone.

A video also showed digital news journalist Pragya Mishra of Ulta Chashma being detained.

AISA chief Neha Bora was detained near Connaught Place’s Outer Circle as she joined protesters moving towards Jantar Mantar.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) alleged that Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas was assaulted by Delhi Police after being detained. The party claimed he was later left by the roadside, visibly injured and distressed.

Police release video on Dipke’s grandmother’s death

Delhi Police released a video disputing claims by Dipke’s mother and CJP that he had not been informed about his grandmother’s death while in custody on October 10.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (PRO) Neha Yadav said Dipke had been informed about the death and the funeral timing. Police also said he was offered assistance to travel to his hometown and speak with his family, but declined the travel assistance.

Dipke’s grandmother died on Saturday at around 11.30 am after a prolonged illness. CJP leaders had earlier alleged that he was denied the opportunity to speak to his family.

CJP subsequently clarified that no leader had signed a bond promising to stop protesting. The organisation said the bond concerned refraining from breaches of peace and did not bar peaceful demonstrations. Dipke vowed that CJP would return to the streets until its demands were met.

Protests spread to Mumbai and Goa

In Mumbai, activist Anjali Damania was among dozens detained after arriving at Shivaji Park to support CJP. According to PTI, Damania said plainclothes police personnel detained her and that she did not know where she was being taken. Police officials said most detainees were taken to Shivaji Park police station, while others were moved to nearby stations.

Protesters were also detained at Azad Maidan in Panaji, Goa. Meanwhile, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh accused the government of suppressing democracy, citing alleged police action against protesters, CJP leaders and others.

The developments on Sunday brought renewed attention to the police response to the protests, the detention of journalists and activists, and conflicting accounts of the treatment of those taken into custody.