Jantar Mantar Protest: Permission Denied, Curbs Imposed Across Delhi

Synopsis

The Cockroach Janta Party is facing trouble with Delhi Police after they denied permission for its protest on October 10 at Jantar Mantar, citing late application and violation during a previous protest. The BNSS was in effect in New Delhi. Mobile internet was cut and Metro gates closed and trains cancelled in parts of the capital. The party called on young people to spearhead the movement and release of imprisoned leaders.

The protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday was rejected by the Delhi Police against a call by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita was in effect in the New Delhi area and police said they deployed over 25,000 security personnel.

What is the rationale behind the refusal?

The application was received Oct. 7, three days before the protest, police said. As per the procedure, the intimation must be given 10 days in advance and this time the CJP had not followed the lawful directions or the undertakings, said Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad.

CJP co-convener Saurav Das questioned the requirement of the permission. He called Jantar Mantar a “designated protest site” where protests are held peacefully.

Restrictions on movement

Internet facilities were banned in the mobile network in a radius of 4 km from Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing from 10 pm to 10 pm on October 9 to 10. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that the gates at 45 stations will remain shut till 6 pm and Indian Railways had scrapped trains that were supposed to stop at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4 am and 2 pm.

There are varying reports on the scale. One placed the cancelled trains for Delhi at 38. The recorded precipitation at Outlook was at least 245. Police will be wearing body cameras at the protest.

On the ground

As protesters were being whisked away from Jantar Mantar and the surrounding area, the CJP had called on the youth to take the lead in the protest and demanded the immediate release of detained leaders.

The curbs were ordered by the Supreme Court a day earlier. The Court said that there should be no absolute ban on Metro and train movement.