Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was detained by Delhi Police near Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10, along with Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leaders John Brittas and K. N. Balagopal, amid a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration was called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) to raise concerns over the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The detained leaders were reportedly taken around the city before being brought to Chhatrasal Stadium, where other protesters were also being held. Several other CPI(M) leaders, including party general secretary M. A. Baby and senior leader Brinda Karat, were detained as well.
Reacting to the developments, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin compared the police action to the Emergency, recalling the repression experienced during that period. The detentions have intensified the political debate over the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression and the functioning of democratic institutions in India.
Leaders Detained Amid Protests
According to reports, Vijayan was detained near Kerala House on Jantar Mantar Road in New Delhi on Saturday morning as opposition leaders and supporters gathered to participate in the demonstration against the Election Commission. The CPI(M) confirmed that Vijayan, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas and former Kerala minister K. N. Balagopal had been detained by Delhi Police and taken around the city before being brought to Chhatrasal Stadium. In a post on X, the party also reported the detention of M. A. Baby, Brinda Karat, E. P. Jayarajan, M. V. Govindan, K. K. Shailaja and P. K. Sreemathi.
The party criticised the action, questioning the grounds on which political leaders and protesters were prevented from participating in the demonstration. Brittas was also heard asserting his right to record the incident, as reported in the party’s social media post.
Meanwhile, Stalin strongly condemned the detentions, describing the situation as reminiscent of the Emergency, the period of authoritarian rule imposed in India between 1975 and 1977. In his statement, he said, “The scenes unfolding in Delhi today, and the scale of repression being unleashed against peaceful protesters, bring back painful memories of the Emergency that I lived through.” He called for the immediate release of political leaders, students and young protesters detained in Delhi and elsewhere.
Stalin further argued that dissent should not be treated as a crime and called on the Union Government to end what he described as an assault on young people exercising their democratic rights. The statements reflect the opposition’s concerns over the handling of the demonstrations, although the full circumstances surrounding each detention remain subject to further clarification.
CPI(M) leaders Comrades John Brittas MP, Pinarayi Vijayan and K. N. Balagopal have been detained by Delhi Police and taken around the city before being brought to Chhatrasal Stadium. “Let me take the video. It’s my right.” John Brittas is heard saying. On what grounds were they detained and taken around the city? The Modi government must answer for stopping people from joining a democratic protest. #JantarMantar #CPIM
— CPI(M) Keralam (@CPIMKerala) October 10, 2026
Dispute Over Electoral Rolls
The protest is part of a wider political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and allegations of irregularities in the voter-list revision process. CJP called for the demonstration demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, with the Left extending support to the protest. Opposition parties have questioned the Election Commission’s handling of the revision exercise, arguing that changes to electoral rolls could affect citizens’ voting rights and the fairness of elections.
The concerns have gained particular attention in Delhi, where reports have highlighted the deletion of more than 47 lakh names from electoral rolls during the revision process, alongside notices issued to voters over discrepancies in their records. The Election Commission has maintained that voters whose names are missing from draft rolls can seek inclusion by submitting the required documents.
The controversy has also unfolded against the backdrop of reports of internal differences within the poll panel over aspects of the revision exercise, which the Election Commission has denied. Earlier demonstrations against the CEC have resulted in the detention of protesters, including opposition politicians, student activists and civil society members. Delhi Police have previously cited restrictions on public gatherings, the absence of permission and prohibitory orders while explaining their actions during protests around Jantar Mantar.
However, the latest detentions have again raised questions about how such restrictions are applied and whether they are proportionate to the circumstances. While the authorities have a responsibility to maintain public order and ensure public safety, critics argue that these responsibilities must be balanced against the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. As political parties continue to challenge the Election Commission’s decisions, the central issue remains whether concerns over electoral processes are being addressed through transparent procedures and meaningful institutional accountability.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The right to question institutions, express disagreement and participate in peaceful demonstrations is an essential part of a functioning democracy. At the same time, maintaining public order is a legitimate responsibility of law enforcement agencies. The challenge lies in ensuring that these responsibilities do not come at the cost of citizens’ fundamental freedoms.
The scenes unfolding in Delhi today, and the scale of repression being unleashed against peaceful protesters, bring back painful memories of the Emergency that I lived through. All political leaders, students and young protesters detained in Delhi and across the country must be released immediately. I strongly condemn the TVK Government in Tamil Nadu for acting as an extension of the BJP and unleashing police repression against protesting students. The Union Government must immediately end its assault on the youth who are peacefully exercising their democratic right to protest. Dissent is not a crime, and democracy cannot survive by silencing those who rise to defend it. The resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is non-negotiable. Beyond his resignation, all the damage done to the institutional framework of the Election Commission must be undone, and its independence and integrity restored. @abhijeet_dipke @cockroachisback @nehaaisa @aishe_ghosh @dhruv_rathee
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 10, 2026
