Student and political groups condemn detention of activists as protest sites face strict curbs

UPDATE - follow-up to Anti-CEC protest LIVE | CJP's Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka sent to 5 days judicial custody in trespassing case: Student bodies and opposition leaders have strongly condemned the remand of Cockroach Janata Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to five days of judicial custody in Tihar Jail. The two leaders, along with Ajinkya Shinde, were placed under preventive arrest and booked for criminal trespass and disobedience of orders after entering the de-notified Jantar Mantar area with the national flag. Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond.

Reactions And Protests

The All India Students' Association termed the arrests a dangerous precedent, alleging a police crackdown on protesters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the move as an attempt to silence youth, while CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya accused the government of imposing an unofficial emergency. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi stated that the peaceful protest movement and political resistance will continue until their demands are met.

Venue Shortage

Protesters face logistical hurdles as Jantar Mantar was de-notified as an official protest venue on October 12 by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar. Demonstrations have been shifted to Ramlila Ground, CBD Ground, and Burari Ground, but Ramlila Maidan officials report that the 12-acre venue has no free dates for the next two and a half months, with only December 29, 30, and 31 available for booking.

Context

Jantar Mantar has historically served as New Delhi's most prominent hub for public demonstrations and civil society agitation. The recent shift of designated protest venues to outer areas of the capital has significantly restricted access for political and student groups organizing demonstrations.