Delhi is set to witness more political protests on Monday, October 12, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) seeks Delhi Police’s permission to conduct a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar, while opposition parties led by Rahul Gandhi are planning to stage a march to the Supreme Court over electoral fraud allegations.
CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka along with his colleague Saurav Das and the party’s lawyer chief Ratna Singh will visit the Parliament Street Police Station at 10 am to seek permission for a protest on Monday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Ranka said that police must grant permission for a show of force at Jantar Mantar within 24 hours. “In case permission is denied, we will go ahead and float another protest program,” he added.
The CJP leaders, including its founder Abhijeet Dipke, were arrested during the police’s weekend crackdown on protesters but later released.
Rahul Gandhi to lead Opposition march
The INDIA bloc is also gearing up to march towards the Supreme Court at around 1:30 pm on Monday. Rahul Gandhi has called upon opposition parties, youth, and civil society to join the protests demanding action against “vote chori” and questioning the credibility of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.
Moreover, the Opposition wants action against the police for their use of force against protesters and alleged unlawful dismissal of demonstrators. Rahul Gandhi and Cong president Mallikarjun Kharge had sought an audience with the CJI to raise the issues, but the latter refused their request. It is believed that the CJI took the decision due to ongoing cases concerning the allegations.
Security tightened across the national capital
Delhi Police has increased security at Jantar Mantar and other prominent locations in the capital in anticipation of the protests. Police have erected roadblocks at several key intersections and warned that traffic diversions may be imposed, with traffic at some places likely to be “heavily affected.”
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has decided to close six stations from 6 am to 4 pm on Monday for security reasons. The stations affected are Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, and Barakhamba Road.
On Sunday, the Supreme Court ruled that metro and railways should function normally and directed that “unarmed protestors shall not be restrained except in accordance with the procedure established by law.”
Allegations of police excesses add to tensions
The weekend encounter has fanned allegations of crackdown on dissent against the ruling party. Moreover, several journalists who were covering the protests on Sunday were also arrested. CPI(M) MP John Brittas alleged that he was assaulted by Delhi Police personnel. He was hospitalized for a few hours before filing a complaint with the President of India, the Rajya Sabha, and the CJI.
Congress workers staged a protest at Himachal Bhavan on Monday morning and raised slogans against Election Commissioner Kumar. Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leaders have also protested again in Mumbai. The demonstrations come as the Opposition has accused the government of trying to stifle dissent and the SIR process has sparked fresh questions over the Election Commission and its chief’s integrity.