Delhi Faces De Facto Lockdown Ahead of CJP Protest as Police Enforce Strict Controls

Delhi is preparing for heavy restrictions resembling a lockdown as police enforce a 37-point plan to block the Cockroach Janta Party's protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. The demonstration targets Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision. Police have denied permission for the rally, citing the lateness of the application and non-compliance with conditions from an earlier June protest that forced then-Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign.

Security Measures

The Union Home Ministry has deployed 221 Central Armed Police Forces companies, totaling 23,000 troops, to remain available until Monday. Train services to New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations are cancelled from 4 am to 2 pm on Saturday, along with mail and express trains scheduled to arrive during that window. Nearly 60 Delhi Metro stations will close from 9 pm on Friday until the situation normalizes. Police have also instructed hotels and guest houses not to accept new visitors appearing to arrive for the protest, coordinated with ride-hailing apps Ola and Uber to regulate central Delhi traffic, and shut liquor stores across the city until Sunday.

Protester Detentions

Ahead of the rally, CJP and other groups allege that protesters are being targeted nationwide. CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka stated that co-in-charge Deepak Baliyan was detained in Rajasthan, while claiming thousands of volunteers were held in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The Students' Federation of India also alleged that police visited activists' homes to intimidate families. Police officers have held meetings in colleges, universities, PG accommodations, mosques, and marketplaces in Old Delhi to warn citizens against joining the unsanctioned protest and to inform them that Section 163 of the BNSS is in place.

Context

These extensive security arrangements reflect the high political tension surrounding student and civil society protests in the national capital. The deployment of tens of thousands of central security personnel and sweeping transit restrictions are among the most severe measures taken by authorities to manage major demonstrations in recent years. Meanwhile, opposition parties within the INDIA bloc have staged separate protests and prayer gatherings at Rajghat over related political demands.