Protests and mass detentions escalate in Delhi and Mumbai over voter list deletions

UPDATE - follow-up to Hundreds detained by Delhi police from near Jantar Mantar during protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar; security tightened at Mumbai's Shivaji Park | LIVE: Over 500 demonstrators, including politicians and student activists, faced police detention near New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Friday. The crowds gathered to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged mass voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Delhi Crackdown

Delhi Police barricaded multiple routes around Jantar Mantar and blocked access from Ashoka Road, Patel Chowk, and Mandi House, while also shutting down local internet services. Authorities deployed drones for aerial monitoring and deployed security personnel who used Section 163 of the BNSS to enforce prohibitory orders. Prominent figures taken into custody included Aam Aadmi Party leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Atishi, and Sanjay Singh, alongside RJD lawmaker Manoj Jha and student leaders like Neha Bora. Civil engineer Amit Sharma and other citizens reported facing harassment after their names went missing from voter lists, while CPI(M) leader M.A. Baby argued that the Chief Election Commissioner should face arrest instead of the demonstrators.

Mumbai Tension

Simultaneously, the Cockroach Janta Party planned a 'Jail Bharo' protest at Shivaji Park in Mumbai under the leadership of Abhijeet Dipke. Mumbai police denied permission for the gathering, stationing emergency vans and mobile surveillance units while tightening security as participants continued to assemble near the park.

Context

Electoral roll revisions are routine administrative exercises conducted by election authorities to update voter databases, but massive deletions can trigger widespread public anger and political friction when eligible citizens find themselves locked out of voting. Large-scale demonstrations at central public sites often draw heavy police intervention due to security concerns and municipal restrictions on unsanctioned assemblies.