Delhi Faces Fresh Security Curbs As Protests Against Chief Election Commissioner Continue

Protests and Detentions

Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar entered their second day on Sunday in New Delhi, leading to numerous detentions and clashes. Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas and All India Students' Association president Neha were among the protestors injured during the police action. Around a dozen journalists were also detained while covering the events at various locations, despite directives issued by the Supreme Court on Saturday. The Delhi Police claimed that reporters were working too close to detained protestors and that their detention may have been due to confusion.

Shift to Connaught Place

With security forces blocking all entrances to Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site, the agitation shifted to other parts of the capital. Connaught Place became the new epicentre as student groups including SFI, AISF, DYFI, KYS, AISA, RWPI, and Disha Students' Organisation carried out march events. In the evening, women SFI activists participating in a 'Tiranga Yatra' were detained after 6 p.m. and taken away in a bus. Cockroach Janata Party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who were released on Sunday after being detained a day earlier, asserted that the protests would continue until the CEC resigns. Meanwhile, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to meet INDIA bloc leaders on Monday.

Traffic and Metro Restrictions

Following an announcement by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi of a march to the Supreme Court on Monday, the Delhi Traffic Police issued a fresh advisory for traffic diversions starting at 6 a.m. These restrictions apply at locations including Dhaula Kuan flyover, Lodhi Road flyover, and the outer circle of Connaught Place. Additionally, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation closed six stations for security reasons, including Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, and Barakhamba Road, following earlier shutdowns on Saturday that had affected 45 stations before services briefly resumed.

Context

Public demonstrations in the capital are typically subject to strict police regulation and designated protest zones like Jantar Mantar to manage public order. When large-scale political mobilizations and student marches occur, authorities frequently deploy heavy barricades, security personnel, and transit restrictions to control movement in sensitive areas. The Supreme Court often steps in during such events to balance public safety measures with the constitutional rights of citizens and the press.