Delhi Clampdown Escalates as Thousands Detained in SIR Protests

Delhi police and central forces have detained thousands as the city faces a massive security operation against protests over the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls. The administration deployed roughly 30,000 police officers and about 200 paramilitary units, erected barricades and imposed a de facto emergency across the capital. Protesters from the Congress‑led INDIA bloc, Rahul Gandhi’s campaign, the Cockroach Janta Party and various student groups gathered to challenge Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s handling of the SIR issue. Despite the heavy crackdown, crowds poured onto the streets to assert their right to peaceful demonstration. Authorities used forceful tactics, dragging many detainees—including political leaders, activists, students, lawyers and journalists—through streets before loading them onto buses. Central Delhi turned into a contested zone, with the police accused of trampling constitutional protest rights. Former chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Arvind Kejriwal were among those taken into custody, as were several women activists. Train services to the capital were suspended, 45 metro stations shut, and three CJP leaders were seized as they arrived at the airport. The crackdown signals the government’s anxiety to shield the election commissioner. Meanwhile, AISA national president Neha Bora, a 29‑year‑old theatre artist and JNU PhD candidate, emerged as a prominent youth voice after leading a 23‑day fast that forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. She continues a nationwide tour, urging students to join the anti‑SIR movement. ## Context The Special Intensive Revision aims to delete duplicate or ineligible voter entries, a move critics say could disenfranchise large sections of the electorate, heightening tensions ahead of upcoming elections.