Delhi Police has denied permission for a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and over concerns surrounding the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The gathering has been called by student groups, civil society activists and political figures, including All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and advocate Prashant Bhushan. Police sources estimate that around 3,000–4,000 people could turn up, prompting heightened security across New Delhi, including the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces and barricades around key locations.
The security measures have also affected public transport. On October 2, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed entry and exit at 11 stations in central Delhi until further notice. The affected stations are Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi. Interchange facilities, however, remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, INA, New Delhi and Central Secretariat.
Security Tightened
According to police sources, barricades have been placed on roads leading towards Jantar Mantar, while additional personnel have been positioned at entry and exit points and other sensitive locations. Authorities have also imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the New Delhi district, aimed at preventing unauthorised gatherings and maintaining public order.
The proposed protest is scheduled for 11 am and organisers have said they intend to raise concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission and demand action against Kumar. AAP leaders and workers, members of the Indian Youth Congress and other political and civil society groups are expected to participate, according to reports. Police, meanwhile, have cited security and crowd-management concerns in stepping up arrangements. Officials have estimated a possible turnout of 3,000–4,000 people, although the actual number remains uncertain.
The latest restrictions mean that people travelling through central Delhi may face diversions and longer journey times. While passengers can continue to change trains at five of the affected Metro stations, they cannot enter or exit those stations while the restrictions remain in force. Authorities have not specified when normal entry and exit services will resume.
SIR Row Deepens
The October 2 mobilisation comes amid a growing dispute over the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the nationwide SIR exercise. Critics, including opposition parties, student organisations and civil society groups, have questioned aspects of the process and have demanded greater accountability from the poll panel and Kumar. The proposed Delhi protest follows another demonstration at Jantar Mantar on September 25, when police detained several protesters, including AISA president Neha Bora, activist Yogendra Yadav and advocate Prashant Bhushan.
The controversy intensified after reports alleged that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections to certain decisions over a 10-month period. The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion that these reflected institutional dissent over the SIR, saying that individual views do not constitute decisions of the Commission and that decisions, including those concerning SIR, were taken unanimously with the approval of all three commissioners.
The dispute has also moved beyond protests. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition challenging aspects of the functioning of the Election Commission under Kumar and questioning the nationwide SIR process. The petition alleges that decisions were taken without the required collective decision-making, while the Election Commission has maintained that its decisions were unanimous. The matter remains before the court, meaning the allegations have not been judicially established.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The right to peaceful protest and the need to maintain public order must coexist in a functioning democracy. Concerns about electoral processes deserve to be heard, particularly when they relate to something as fundamental as citizens’ ability to participate in elections.
At the same time, authorities have a responsibility to ensure that demonstrations do not compromise public safety or unnecessarily disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens. The way forward should be through transparency, evidence-based discussion and meaningful dialogue between institutions, political groups, civil society and citizens. As Delhi braces for heightened security on Gandhi Jayanti, can democratic disagreement be expressed firmly while still preserving peace, dignity and respect for everyone involved?
🔶 Public Notice | New Delhi District
— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) October 1, 2026
Section 163 of BNSS, 2023 is in force in New Delhi District to ensure public safety, public order and smooth traffic movement.
🔸 Unauthorised gatherings, public speeches, shouting of slogans, processions, demonstrations, dharnas and other… pic.twitter.com/YNnYjveoxj
