Heavy police deployment, barricades restrict entry to Jantar Mantar; several protesters detained

New Delhi turned into a fortress on Gandhi Jayanti due to heavy police deployment and barricades at Jantar Mantar, restricting the entry of people trying to protest the conduct of the Election Commission (EC).

The bans were enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the Parliament Street subdivision where the protest venue is located. The order restricts public gatherings, gatherings of five or more people, carrying firearms, flags, banners, batons, spears, swords, sticks or brickbats, shouting slogans, making speeches and holding processions, demonstrations or dharnas. Section 163 was imposed on the entire stretch except the protest site itself, where demonstrations were allowed until 5:00 pm with a permit.

However, the entrance to the protest site was blocked, preventing the protesters from reaching the area.

Hundreds of Delhi Police, CAPF and RAF personnel blocked the two main entry points to Jantar Mantar: one from Sansad Marg and the other from the Kerala House side. PCR buses and police cars added to the multi-layered security measures to keep the protesters at bay.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that entry and exit gates were closed at 12 stations, including those in the immediate vicinity of the protest site such as Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat. Exchange facilities remained available at all such stations except New Delhi.

Police detained more than 500 protesters, including former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.

The disruption in internet services caused difficulties for nearby merchants and gig workers trying to process UPI payments. Public vehicles were prohibited from entering Ashoka Road, Jantar Mantar Road and Sansad Marg. Commuters were asked to reroute and those waiting at bus stops were told to leave.

Public vehicles were prohibited from entering Ashoka Road, Jantar Mantar Road and Sansad Marg. Commuters were asked to reroute and those waiting at bus stops were told to leave. | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

4,000 police officers deployed

When student groups and opposition party workers arrived, the police forcibly detained them and loaded them into buses parked near the entry points. Police personnel outnumbered the protesters. According to officials, around 4,000 personnel have been deployed at Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas. Drones were used to monitor the situation on the ground.

The Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) called for a protest march from Mandi House, while the National Union of Students of India (NSUI) began its march from Raisina Road.

All India Students Association (AISA) members scouted the area in the morning to identify open routes. N. Sai Balaji, CPI(ML) activist and former national president of AISA, said, “We did reconnaissance tours and shortlisted a few routes, but they kept getting closed during the day. Finally, we decided to march from the Vice President’s Enclave.” He added that the marching crowd had reached at least 350 people before the arrests began.

Political activist and psychologist Yogendra Yadav also participated in the protest march. “It is brave of the youth to come out even though they know they will be detained because everyone wants Gyanesh Kumar to be removed,” he said.

Neha Bora detained

AISA National President Neha Bora along with Mr. Yadav and many protesters tried to reach the venue from Patel Chowk but were stopped by the police at Samrat Ashok Chowk.

At around 10:30 am, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj and MP Sanjay Singh reached Janpath Lane, where the police forcefully detained them.

The AAP said the crackdown raises fundamental questions about the future of democratic dissent.

Senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia wrote on X: “Protest is against Gyanesh Kumar and Amit Shah is involved in crushing this protest. Today, Delhi Police is determined to suppress every voice demanding resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.”

DYFI workers resisted arrest by lying on the road but were eventually taken into custody.

Ms. Bora and several others initially managed to jump off the buses, but were detained several times during the day. Several women without name tags forcibly detained her and other protesters.

Later in the evening, Ms. Bora called the protest for Saturday (October 3) at 1 pm, saying, “Jantar Mantar 2.0 is not finished! It has just started.”

“Rest after today’s detention. Because if not, how will you get to Jantar Mantar tomorrow at 1pm? Thousands of police officers are working to save one man, Gyanesh Kumar, who we must ensure is removed,” she said in a video statement.

The Indian Youth Congress arrived in the evening with a group of about 500 workers. They were also stopped and about 50 of them were detained.

At least 20 to 25 buses and vans took hundreds of detained protesters away from the area as all access roads to Jantar Mantar remained heavily barricaded throughout Gandhi Jayanti.

Published – 02 Oct 2026 20:06 IST