CJP protest at Jantar Mantar: Why is Delhi ‘shut down’? How police explained strict restrictions amid criticism | Today’s news
The Delhi Police defended the move to impose strict restrictions in the wake of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. On Friday, the police issued a statement titled: “What is the reason for the restrictions imposed in Delhi?”.
The statement came as the Center criticized for “shutting down” Delhi ahead of a massive demonstration that was to be attended by several political parties.
Delhi goes ‘shutdown’ ahead of CJP’s protest
The October 10 protest was organized to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of irregularities in the ongoing special intensive exercise (SIR) in the electoral roll.
More than 200 trains were canceled on Saturday, 45 metro stations were closed in Delhi and mobile internet services were also restricted in areas around Jantar Mantar.
As the day began and protesters began gathering around Jantar Mantar, the Delhi Police cracked down on people around the protest site and detained several journalists, lawyers and CJP leaders and other protesters.
While CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained on board the plane at Delhi airport, Dhruv Rathee was detained at his residence in Gurugram.
This led to cries of “shut down” on social media from many, including opposition leaders. Former MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote on X: “Gyanesh Kumar is such a valued asset to the government that it has shut down the state capital. Shouldn’t the CEC take moral responsibility and step down? Such a shame that it continues while youths are protesting against him across the country.”
Read also | Delhi Protest LIVE Updates: Ex-Kerala CM Detained; CJP says protest will continue
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The CJP’s October 10 protest opposed a special intensive revision of electoral rolls and called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities.
Police cited security and law and order concerns and pointed to violence and injuries during the previous Jantar Mantar protest. She also said the site would only hold about 1,000 people and that the restrictions would help manage crowds and traffic.
Authorities restricted entry and exit at 45 metro stations, canceled more than 200 trains and restricted mobile internet services around Jantar Mantar. Police also set up roadblocks and checkpoints in parts of the city.
No. Delhi Police denied permission citing possible law and order concerns and inconvenience to residents. He also said that the CJP’s communication was more of a notice than a formal request for permission.
The Supreme Court directed the Center to ensure that there is no total ban on metro and train movement to Delhi on October 10. It was later claimed that station closures and traffic restrictions continued across the route.
In a scathing post on X shortly before boarding the plane at Mumbai airport on Saturday: Dipke he wrote that Delhi’s shutdown and “crackdown” on supporters “were not signs of strength” but of a leader terrified of his own people.
He posted, (PM Narendra) Modi accepted defeat even before our protest started. The crackdown on protesters and the shutdown of Delhi are not signs of strength, but of a leader scared of his own people.”
Left parties also condemned the restrictions imposed before the October 10 protest and demanded that the Delhi Police allow the protesters to assemble at Jantar Mantar.
Read also | CJP protest at Jantar Mantar: CP, Palika, Khan Market, others closed today
CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby said barricading and deployment of security personnel was creating an atmosphere of intimidation.
CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said that when trains were canceled and metro services stopped, the government “besieged itself and turned the whole of Delhi into a huge police camp or paramilitary camp”.
He said, “Meanwhile, the CJI has advised the government not to use a hammer to kill a fly! Does that leave room for hammers to be used on cockroaches?” He asked, “Has independent India ever witnessed such fear of democracy and peaceful mass protests?
Protest in Delhi: Security personnel stand guard near the Janpath Metro station as heavy police deployment and entry restrictions are enforced ahead of a planned protest by members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday, October 10, 2026 in New Delhi.(PTI)
The problem also reached the Supreme Court.
The suit, filed in court on Saturday, alleged that authorities continued to close Delhi Metro stations despite the Supreme Court’s October 9 order. The Supreme Court has directed the Center to ensure that there is no “total ban” on metro and train movements coming into Delhi on October 10 due to the protest.
The suit filed on Saturday sought contempt proceedings against Union Home Minister Govinda Mohan IAS, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar IPS and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chairman D Thara IAS for allegedly willfully disobeying the court’s directions, according to Live Law.
Delhi protest: How police blocked move to impose strict restrictions
The Delhi Police cited the events of the 20 July protest organized by the CJP over irregularities in the NEET examination and student deaths to justify the imposition of strict restrictions ahead of the 10 October protest.
1. Lessons from the past
Police said the proactivity stems from “what happened last during the protests at Jantar Mantar in July”. In a statement posted on X, they said: “Permission was received for a one-day protest at Jantar Mantar, but it continued for a month. More than 200 policemen were injured. More than 2,000 people with criminal antecedents came to these protests and contributed to the violence. When the situation got out of control, clashes broke out and innocent students were also injured.”
“Now the same group wants to gather again at the same place,” the police said.
“Given this experience, permission cannot be granted without addressing how security will be ensured. Already in the last week, women constables of the Delhi Police have been harassed and assaulted by those protesting at Jantar Mantar. This is deeply disturbing and needs to be taken seriously,” the statement said.
“No one wants this to happen again. The people who come to the protest, the police personnel on duty and the people passing through the area all need to be safe,” police said in a statement.
2. Smooth movement of traffic
Police said people have the right to protest but at the same time “important facilities and offices of constitutional bodies are in Delhi”.
“People who live and work in Delhi should also be able to go about their day safely. Delhi Police is responsible for all of them,” the police said.
3. “Practical Problem”
The Delhi Police also highlighted a “practical problem”. They said that Jantar Mantar is a small area which can accommodate only 1000 people at a time.
Read also | Jantar Mantar protest: CJP says nationwide agitation to continue
“Delhi is a small city-state and there are limits to how many people a particular place can safely accommodate. Delhi, being the capital of the country’s fastest growing economy, cannot be stopped every time there is a protest. The Delhi Police has to look after the welfare of the citizens and economic interests alongside the interests of those who want to protest,” the police added.
“Balancing these responsibilities requires planning, and planning starts with organizers seeking and complying with a permit. It is not undemocratic to request a permit to protest. The permit is to ensure that authorities know where people intend to gather and how many are expected so that they can arrange traffic diversion, emergency access and safe crowd movement,” police said.
