Two Delhi Police personnel, including a female Pink Force member, were injured during the detention of approximately 1,000 protesters across New Delhi district on Saturday, following a denied protest permission by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against the Election Commission.
France is preparing for fresh demonstrations on October 24 with a "massive" police deployment and extended curfews, following days of violent unrest. The protests, initially sparked by school conditions, have broadened into a nationwide campaign against rising living costs and declining public services, leading to over 2,500 arrests and significant damage.
A new political outfit, the 'Lal Hit Janata Party', has emerged in Delhi, staging a counter-protest against alleged abuse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attacks on police.
The Bombay High Court has observed that while peaceful demonstration is a fundamental right, factors like a protestor's credentials and public inconvenience must be considered before restricting police action. The court directed the Maharashtra government to respond to petitions alleging illegal detention during recent anti-CEC protests and also noted the need to consider protesters' antecedents.
Protesters associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi, many of whom participated in a July demonstration, adapted their strategies for a recent protest on Saturday. They used digital artwork, prepared for potential police action like lathi charges, and advised newcomers on safety measures such as carrying multiple masks and goggles. The protest, called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list manipulation, faced heavy security deployment, barricades, and mass detentions, preventing a large-scale gathering at Jantar Mantar.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Opposition parties, including Congress and AAP, stating that protests are futile and asserting that the NDA will form the next government in Punjab. He also spoke about Yamuna cleaning projects and accused previous Delhi governments of pollution.
Protesters in Manipur clashed with police outside a sports complex where the Chief Minister was present, demanding action over the recent killing of three Meitei men. A 48-hour shutdown has affected normal life in Imphal Valley districts, and effigies of political figures were burnt. The state continues to grapple with ethnic conflict.
Delhi police deployed over 35,000 personnel for the Cockroach Janta Party protest.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refused to comment on recent protests against India's Election Commission, labelling it an "internal political matter." During his visit to India, Rubio also dismissed UN experts' criticism of the protests, stating that the US would not interfere in India's domestic affairs, despite UN concerns over police response to demonstrations.
Delhi Police has registered multiple FIRs against individuals who allegedly violated prohibitory orders in Connaught Place during the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Lehra do Tiranga' protest. Despite warnings, a crowd gathered on Friday, leading to legal action. The protests, involving CJP supporters and student activists, demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Mumbai police detained 400 individuals, including Tushar Gandhi, for protesting without permission.
The Delhi High Court refused to issue an injunction to stop a protest by the CJP at Connaught Place Central Park on October 16, accepting the police's assurance to regulate the activity. A vendor had sought to regulate the protest, citing potential business losses during the festive season.
Artist and photographer Raihan Vadra, son of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, had many of his photographs documenting recent Delhi protests removed from his solo exhibition "No Idea is Final" at Bikaner House. The management cited the "current context and political climate" for the removal, a move criticised by Raihan and his mother as censorship and muzzling of artistic voices.
A protest organised by the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Saturday led to the detention of around 500 people. Despite heavy security, protesters used various tactics, including unique attire and hiding in a gurdwara, to voice their dissent against perceived curtailment of freedom of expression.
French Prime Minister Sbastien Lecornu said police arrested 1,200 protesters on Saturday, and 150 personnel were injured as demonstrations across the country over the rising cost of living turned violent.
Four members of the Hindu Raksha Dal were arrested in Delhi for allegedly assaulting students and women during a protest on October 10. The arrests came after a video of the incident went viral, prompting police to take suo motu cognisance despite no formal complaint. The incident occurred amidst broader protests and detentions.
Six US Democratic lawmakers, including Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar, have urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address alleged excessive force during student protests in India and concerns over voter purges during his upcoming visit. They also accused Indian diplomatic missions of surveillance of protesters in the US and called for investigations into human rights violations and potential arms sales implications.
The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre and Delhi Police regarding an October 11 order that de-notified Jantar Mantar as a protest site and designated three alternative venues. The court will examine the rationale behind the relocation, especially concerning the efficacy of Jantar Mantar and the impact on the fundamental right to protest.
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has announced a revised route for this year's edition, scheduled for Sunday. The change is due to ongoing protests near Rail Bhawan, Sansad Marg, and Patel Chowk, which were part of the traditional course. Organisers have communicated the new route to participants, while elite race timings and other run categories remain largely unaffected.
Delhi Police have registered four FIRs against social media handles allegedly spreading false narratives and rumours regarding protests in the capital, with several Pakistan-based accounts under scrutiny for disseminating misleading information and attempting to create an 'anti-India narrative'.
Harvard trained lawyer Shahdan Farasat's detention by the Delhi police at Saturday's protest has ignited a crucial debate on the shrinking space for peaceful dissent and the protection of democratic rights.
The Delhi High Court is set to hear a plea seeking to stop a protest called by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke at Connaught Place Central Park on October 16. The plea highlights the disruption caused by such protests, especially during the Dussehra weekend. Dipke's call for protest follows the judicial custody of two CJP members for alleged peace bond violations and trespassing.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for imposing restrictions in Delhi ahead of an October 10 protest, stating there was no deliberate non-compliance with the court's order. The Centre's communication was aimed at maintaining peace and preventing public order disturbances, citing a protest allegedly planned without permission and past experiences.
A recent IIT Indore study highlights the evolving landscape of protest sites in Delhi, from Rajpath to Jantar Mantar, and now to more distant locations like Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground. This shift, driven by authorities, raises concerns about the visibility, accessibility, and effectiveness of democratic protests, as moving demonstrations further away from power centres can diminish their impact and public engagement.
The parents of Ankita Bhandari, murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022, were detained while protesting near India Gate.
The parents of Ankita Bhandari, murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022, were detained while protesting near India Gate.
Delhi is under extraordinary security for the second day as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continues its protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel are deployed, with heightened surveillance across the capital following detentions on Saturday.
The Delhi High Court is set to hear petitions concerning the alleged closure of Jantar Mantar as a protest site and reported assaults on protesters. Lawyers argue that the closure infringes on the right to free speech, especially as no alternative sites were designated. Separately, Delhi Police have denotified Jantar Mantar and named three new protest locations.
Online video games are emerging that recreate scenes from the Jantar Mantar protests in Delhi. Games like 'Jantar Mantar Chalo', 'Bhaag Neha Bhaag', and 'Jantar Mantar to Jail' allow players to experience elements of the demonstrations, from gathering crowds and dodging police to collecting 'Accountability' and 'Democracy' coins. Creators, inspired by news and real-life events, developed these games rapidly using AI and coding, gaining significant traction online.
Opposition leaders from CPI-M and AAP faced detention in Delhi and Chandigarh while protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over serious allegations of voter-list manipulation and suppression of democratic rights.
The Cockroach Janta Party protest at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park in Mumbai drew several hundred Mumbaikars who demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Delhi Police has officially denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, instead naming Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in east Delhi as the new venues for demonstrations. This decision, issued via a standing order by Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11, aims to address the significant logistical and security challenges posed by protests in the sensitive New Delhi district.
Rahul Gandhi met the parents of Ankita Bhandari, who were protesting at India Gate, demanding justice for their daughter's murder.
Delhi Police launched a massive crackdown to prevent a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner at Jantar Mantar, detaining CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, and nearly 500 others. The city was turned into a fortress with extensive security, metro closures, and barricades. Opposition parties, including AAP and Congress, condemned the actions, calling the situation "worse than the Emergency."
Two tribal rights activists, Dr Randall Sequeira and Laxman Naik, have been arrested in Odisha's Rayagada district in connection with a six-month-old clash during an anti-mining protest. While police claim the activists instigated tribals to attack security personnel, a civil society group has condemned the arrests, alleging they are an attempt to suppress protests for tribal rights over natural resources. The activists face serious charges including attempt to murder and rioting.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and AISA chief Neha Bora were preventively detained by Delhi Police on Friday, preventing their participation in the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protests amidst heightened security in the national capital.
The Cockroach Janta Party has pledged to continue its protests, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and the rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on Wednesday after furnishing personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each. They provided written undertakings not to breach peace or call for protests at Jantar Mantar as long as the site remains denotified. Their release followed a court order despite police seeking an extension of their judicial custody.
Ramlila Maidan, recently designated as one of Delhi's new protest sites, is proving to be a costly and difficult option for demonstrators. With no free dates for the next two and a half months and booking fees exceeding Rs 1 lakh, it contrasts sharply with the previously free Jantar Mantar. The ground, rich in political history, also poses logistical challenges due to its busy commercial location and impact on traffic.
The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has registered a fresh FIR to investigate a "larger conspiracy" behind the violence that occurred during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in the national capital on July 20, focusing on alleged instigators and premeditation.
