BJP leader's daughter and prominent activists detained as police lock down Delhi over CJP protest

Yashaswinee Raje Singh, daughter of former Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Vikram Singh, was detained by police in Delhi amid a massive security crackdown targeting a protest led by the CJP. Singh posted on social media that she was picked up near Bangla Sahib for sitting in a park and held at the Keshav Puram police station.

The Crackdown

Delhi police transformed the capital into a fortress by deploying over 40,000 security personnel from the Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces. Authorities installed barricades and spike strips across the city, and completely sealed off Jantar Mantar, barring even media personnel from entering the area. Connecting roads were blocked, and loudspeakers broadcast warnings in Hindi and English against gatherings, processions, and road blockades under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

Detentions

The security forces targeted numerous key figures heading toward the demonstration. CJP founder and convener Abhijeet Dipke, along with co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained directly inside their plane upon landing at Delhi airport. Kerala CPI(M) leaders including Pinarayi Vijayan, MA Baby, MV Govindan Master, A Vijayaraghavan, KK Shailaja, John Brittas, KN Balagopal, Brinda Karat, and PK Sreemathi were detained upon arriving at Jantar Mantar. All India Students' Association national president Neha Bora was also picked up near Safdarjung airport.

Activist Statements

Political activist Yogendra Yadav posted a self-made video on social media stating that an unmarked car was following their vehicle on the way to the protest site. He expressed fear of imminent detention or abduction and declared that the protest struggle would continue despite police actions. The CJP demonstration was organized to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Context

Jantar Mantar in New Delhi is a designated site for public demonstrations and protests, frequently drawing political rallies and activist groups. Security forces often deploy heavy restrictions and prohibitory orders under legal provisions like Section 163 during major expected demonstrations to maintain public order in the capital.