Jantar Mantar Protest Continues for Second Day Over SIR, CEC’s Resignation Demand

The protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continued for a second day on Saturday, with senior advocate Kapil Sibal, lawyer Prashant Bhushan, AISA president Neha Bora and others marching towards the protest site.

The demonstration centres on allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and protesters’ demand for Kumar’s resignation. The allegations have been made by protesters and organisers and do not by themselves establish wrongdoing.

Delhi Police said restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, remained in force across New Delhi district. Unauthorised gatherings, speeches, slogan-shouting, processions, demonstrations and dharnas were prohibited.

Police said no permission had been granted for the October 3 protest and no prior intimation had been received. As crowds gathered, police announced that protesters should disperse and began making detentions.

Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav announced his participation in the second day of the mobilisation, describing peaceful protest as a democratic right in a post on X.

Friday’s protest saw large-scale detentions across Delhi. Hindustan Times reported detentions of around 1,000 people, including nearly 750 from areas around Jantar Mantar, while additional detentions were reported elsewhere in the city. The figures overlap and should not be treated as a single combined total.

Those detained included former Delhi chief minister Atishi, Neha Bora and Yogendra Yadav, besides AAP leaders, civil society activists, student groups and Congress youth-wing workers.

Over 5,000 security personnel were deployed around Jantar Mantar on Friday, while Delhi Police registered three FIRs linked to the demonstrations.

On Saturday, TMC leader Mahua Moitra urged people to join the protest in larger numbers. Internet services around Jantar Mantar were reported to be functioning, unlike Friday, when telecom companies had been asked to suspend services in the New Delhi district for a specified period.

The latest mobilisation is taking place amid heightened security and restrictions in central Delhi to maintain public order and regulate traffic.