‘Almost locked down’: Dhruv Rathee arrives in Delhi, questions security measures ahead of CJP protest | Today’s news
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee on Friday accused the central government of putting Delhi under “almost lockdown” ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10, to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In a video posted on Instagram, Rathee questioned the extensive security and traffic restrictions imposed in the national capital, including the planned closure of metro stations, cancellation of trains and temporary suspension of mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi.
Earlier on Friday, the DMRC announced that the entry and exit of 57 metro stations will be closed. However, it later released a revised list and reduced the number of stations to 45 from 9pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday.
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Rathee said that with metro closures, canceled trains and a planned suspension of mobile internet, Delhi feels like it is under “almost a lockdown”. He questioned why such sweeping measures were needed when, he claimed, social media accounts predicted low voter turnout.
The CJP has called a demonstration to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Organizers blamed irregularities in a special intensive revision of voter rolls and raised concerns about the processing of Form 6 voter registration applications.
The Delhi Police termed the measure as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order and protect the public. It cited concerns about crowd management, previous protests and the need to keep traffic moving and the availability of emergency services.
The DMRC revised its original advisory and reduced the number of affected stations from 57 to 45. Entry and exit were restricted from 9:00 pm on Friday to 6:00 pm on Saturday, while interchange facilities remained available at the affected stations except New Delhi.
The suspension affected mobile internet services within a radius of four kilometers from the Janpath–Kartavya crossing. She was supposed to go from October 9 from 22:00 to October 10 until 22:00; services elsewhere in Delhi were to remain unaffected.
“How are you friends? I have come to Delhi. And I have seen the arrangements made here by our Prime Minister. More than 50 metro stations have been closed,” Rathee said in the video.
“Trains have been stopped. Buses have been cancelled. And they are almost shutting down Delhi because of our protests,” he added.
Rathee also questioned why such sweeping measures were necessary if, he claimed, social media accounts linked to the BJP had predicted low turnout for the demonstration.
“On one hand people from your IT cell are saying that no one will come to our protest. If there is no crowd then why are you doing all this if there is no crowd? I don’t understand,” he said.
“I think you are really afraid. In fact, the entire population of the country is awake,” Rathee added, urging people to take part in the demonstration.
“Friends, if you are watching, come to Jantar Mantar on October 10,” he said.
Delhi Police citing law and order concerns, previous protests
Delhi Police on Friday defended the temporary restrictions, particularly around Jantar Mantar, saying they were precautionary measures aimed at maintaining law and order and protecting residents, commuters, businesses and police personnel.
Additional Commissioner of Police Rajeev Ranjan said in a statement that the right to peaceful protest is an important democratic right, but authorities also have a responsibility to prevent violence and ensure public safety.
Police claimed the protest, authorized for a single day in July, continued for nearly a month and injured more than 200 police officers. They also claimed that over 2,000 people with criminal antecedents participated in the demonstration.
According to the statement, students were also injured in the clashes, while allegations of harassment and assault on women during protests over the past week have raised serious concerns.
Delhi Police said Jantar Mantar could safely accommodate around 1,000 people at any one time. She emphasized that obtaining prior permission is essential to ensure proper crowd management, traffic regulation and maintaining access for emergency services.
However, the Delhi Police refused to allow the CJP’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Following the decision, Union Home Minister Govind Mohan instructed police chiefs in all states and Union Territories to ensure law and order and tighten security measures.
25,000 security personnel deployed
Delhi has beefed up security ahead of Saturday’s proposed rally, with around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel reportedly deployed. Authorities have also ordered intensive checks at border crossings, train stations, bus terminals, hotels and other sensitive locations.
Several train services to the capital have also been cancelled, according to reports.
Separately, mobile internet services will remain suspended within a radius of four kilometers from the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10, according to ANI citing sources. The restriction will apply to mobile internet services in the designated area, while services in the rest of Delhi will remain unaffected, they said.
The measures come at a time of heightened tension over the CJP’s protest and demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Why is CJP protesting against CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
The CJP has called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls under the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Organizers of the protest accused the electoral body of tampering with the voters’ list and raised questions about the manipulation of Form 6, the application used to register as a voter.
The planned demonstration follows protests in several cities, including Bengaluru, where Rathee and actor Prakash Raj joined a rally led by the CJP at Freedom Park on Thursday.
(With agency input)
