Delhi Deploys 40,000 Security Personnel and Shuts Metro Stations Before CJP Protest Over Election Chief in most dangerous countries

Delhi has imposed sweeping restrictions including metro station closures, mobile internet suspension, train cancellations and deployment of over 35,000 security personnel ahead of a planned protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in most dangerous countries. [1]

Massive Security Deployment Turns Delhi Into Fortress in most dangerous countries

Delhi Police has drawn up an extensive security plan involving around 35,000 personnel, including police and paramilitary forces, to prevent any breach of law and order. [1] With a massive gathering expected, the capital has been turned into a fortress, with more than 40,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel deployed. [2] Delhi Police said more than 15,000 of its personnel had been deployed, with around 26,000 central force personnel expected in the city. [2] The arrangements include drone surveillance, facial recognition systems and CCTV monitoring. [1] Police personnel deployed for security are wearing body cameras on their uniforms, including devices that can record in the dark. [3] The security arrangements also include multiple facial recognition systems, additional CCTV cameras, rooftop spotters and drones expected to be deployed across central Delhi. [3] Entry points to the capital have been cordoned off. [3] Barricades had been installed at 37 identified points from where protesters could potentially enter. [2] Jantar Mantar was sealed off even to media personnel, with its connecting roads barricaded and manned by security forces. [2] Loudspeakers at three key entry-exit points broadcast warnings in Hindi and English against gatherings, processions, road blockades and other prohibited activities under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. [2]

Transport and Communication Shutdowns

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation revised its earlier plan to restrict access at 57 stations, with its latest reported advisory providing for entry and exit closures at 45 stations from 9 pm on Friday until 6 pm on Saturday. [1] Indian Railways cancelled services to and from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday. [1] Mobile internet services have been suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing from 10 pm on Friday until 10 pm on Saturday. [1] The order was issued under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024. [2] A late-night Delhi Traffic Police advisory warned of disruption across central Delhi, with diversions at 30 locations from 6 am. [2] The Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat stations in Delhi will remain closed from 9 pm on October 9 until 10 pm on October 10. [5] Retail liquor outlets across Delhi will remain closed on October 9 and 10 under an order issued by the excise department. [5]

CJP Leader Accuses Government of Fear and Repression

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “dictator” and said that he is “afraid of the youth of the nation” as he left for Delhi from Mumbai. [2] Dipke said, “Narendra Modi is a dictator. He is scared, which is why he has closed the Delhi Metro, roads, everything. If he is this scared of the youth of the nation, why is he sitting in the PM's post?” [2] Questioning the curbs, Dipke asked, “Do Narendra Modi and Amit Shah want to wage war against the people of their own country? Is Gyanesh Kumar so dear to them that they would unleash their police and army forces upon their own citizens?” [2] Dipke said that Modi is “afraid as he fears that the people of this country will not vote for him after this”. [2] Defending the planned protest, he said, “Protesting is our fundamental right. Article 19 grants us the fundamental right to protest in a democratic and peaceful manner, and that is exactly what we intend to do.” [2] Dipke added, “If they want to detain or arrest me, they can do that. I am ready for it. They can arrest or detain me; it doesn't matter to me. Apply UAPA or NSA, apply it, but we will keep fighting for free and fair elections and to save this country's democracy.” [3]

Protest Demands Resignation Over Electoral Roll Revision

The protest has been called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. [1] The agitation centres on allegations that the SIR exercise has unfairly removed eligible voters from electoral rolls. [1] An investigative report by The Indian Express stated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and procedures linked to the SIR exercise. [5] CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that around 13 crore voters had been removed from electoral rolls since 2024. [5] Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of conducting the revision in a manner that could disadvantage their supporters, while the BJP and the poll body have rejected allegations of manipulation. [1] The Election Commission has rejected the allegations, maintaining that major decisions, including the SIR of electoral rolls, had been taken unanimously by the full commission. [5]

Police Deny Permission and Begin Detentions

Delhi Police has denied permission for the demonstration, citing late application, prior violations and law-and-order concerns, yet organisers intend to proceed. [1] Following the announcement, Delhi Police instructed its teams to detain anyone attempting to stage a protest, irrespective of their location. [3] A few protesters were detained near Janpath in the Connaught Place area on Saturday. [3] Police have also directed Central Armed Police Forces units not to issue weapons for deployment related to the demonstration. [3] Those detained are to be shifted to six designated centres: Chhatrasal Stadium, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Yamuna Sports Complex, Surajmale Stadium, the community centre in Daulatpur and the community centre in Pandrawal. [3] Over 1,000 people were detained overnight. [5]

Political Support and Expected Turnout

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav backed the protest, saying force cannot crush youth's resolve. [5] Yadav said young people would gather in the national capital despite the hurdles imposed by the Centre. [5] The protesters, led by the self-named Cockroach Janta Party, have said they will gather at Jantar Mantar at 10 am. [4] CJP said in an Instagram post, “10th October. Jantar Mantar 2.0. We’re coming together again to raise our voice against Gyanesh Kumar. Thousands of us are expected...” [3]

What to watch next: Organisers anticipate thousands will still attempt to reach the site despite the restrictions, with additional personnel from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh expected to assist in managing crowds.