AISA plans to hold a demonstration regarding the issue of the electoral roll, while permission for the Indian Youth Congress’s protest was denied.
Delhi police stated on Thursday that no organization had been granted permission to hold a protest against the Election Commission at Jantar Mantar this week, although security measures were being deployed across Lutyens’ Delhi due to concerns that a large number of protesters might gather at the site.
The All India Students Association (AISA)—the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation—plans to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar on Friday, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Police stated that the Indian Youth Congress, having recently held multiple protests across the country, had applied to stage another protest at Jantar Mantar but was denied permission.
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) has also announced a nationwide “Save Democracy” march to be held from October 2 to 8, with participation from the general public, youth, and “all those who believe in democracy and unity.”
Senior Delhi police officials stated that despite the denial of permission for the protests, they anticipate a large turnout of demonstrators near Jantar Mantar this week and have requested the deployment of “additional police personnel” from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Delhi Police, alongside paramilitary forces, have established multi-layered barricades along Tolstoy Road, Janpath, and Parliament Street leading to the Jantar Mantar area. The entire protest zone has been cordoned off with barricades positioned on both sides—near Tolstoy Road and Kerala House—and additional barriers have been set up near Ashoka Road.
An official who requested anonymity stated that a total of 4,000 personnel have been deployed. “We have mobilized regional police forces, reserve units, rapid response teams, and other paramilitary forces,” the official said, adding that 20 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) would also be deployed to handle security duties.
Police stated that they have informed the Ministry of Home Affairs and equipped officers with riot gear. On Monday, a delegation from the All India Students’ Association (AISA), led by President Neha Bora, submitted a “notice” to the Parliament Street Police Station, informing them of a planned protest at 11 a.m. on Friday.