Former Indian chief ministers, including Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan, and Manik Sarkar, were detained by Delhi Police while trying to join a rally demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This incident was part of a larger security operation that led to the arrest of thousands of opposition leaders and participants.
The four former chief ministers were later released, but some protest organizers remained in custody.
The rally, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party CJP, aimed to call for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation due to allegations of falsifying electoral rolls in the Special Intensive Revision.
Arrest of Mamata Banerjee, Kejriwal, Vijayan, and Manik Sarkar
Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader, and several party members were detained after refusing to stop marching to Jantar Mantar. Banerjee protested by tying a bandage around her mouth and staging a sit in, criticizing the government’s response to the rally and accusing authorities of restricting opposition voices.
Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader, was also detained while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar. He condemned the government’s actions and urged citizens to express their concerns about election integrity.
Pinarayi Vijayan, former Kerala chief minister, and Manik Sarkar, former Tripura chief minister, were also among those arrested.
Critics noted that the police detained prominent political figures to prevent the rally.
Protest Near Jantar Mantar Demanding Election Commission Resignation
The CJP organized a rally in central Delhi demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, accusing him of electoral fraud. Critics of the SIR voter list revision claim that many voters have been unlawfully removed recently.
Both the Election Commission of India and the ruling BJP have denied these allegations.
Delhi Police denied the rally organizers permission to hold the event, citing legal restrictions. Thousands of police and paramilitary officers were deployed to enforce a strict curfew to prevent the rally.
The situation surrounding the Election Commission has heightened tensions in Delhi, with opposition groups calling for Kumar’s resignation and accusing authorities of mass detentions to suppress dissent.
Security Forces Deployed to Prevent Rally; Thousands Detained
Police and paramilitary units were stationed in Delhi ahead of the rally.
Barriers and roadblocks were set up, redirecting traffic and causing severe travel disruptions for residents.
Access to major transport hubs and strategic locations was also restricted.
Reports indicated that thousands were arrested at various rallies throughout Delhi. While the four former chief ministers were released, some protest organizers remained detained.
Controversies Arise After Detention of Opposition Figures
The detention of opposition figures has sparked concerns about the right to protest in India.
Opposition politicians accused police of taking steps to halt unauthorized rallies, while law enforcement stated that security measures were necessary after denying the rally application.
The dispute over electoral fraud in the SIR voter list revision has resurfaced.
Protest organizers have pledged to continue voicing their concerns about election integrity.
Recent developments in Delhi intensify the ongoing conflict between rally organizers, opposition groups, and authorities over alleged electoral fraud and the right to protest.