Delhi: AISA, Left workers stage protest outside BJP HQ
AISA, Left workers, and CJP activists protest outside BJP HQ in Delhi, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over electoral roll irregularities.
The streets surrounding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi became a flashpoint of political tension on Saturday as members of the All India Students' Association (AISA), Left Party workers, and various youth organisations gathered to demand the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The massive demonstration was sparked by allegations of irregularities in the electoral rolls and the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which protesters claim threatens the fundamental right to vote.
Political Leaders Slam "State Repression"
The protest saw heavy involvement from prominent political figures who accused the central government of attempting to stifle dissent. Senior CPI(M) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched a scathing attack on the Modi government and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that democratic institutions are under severe assault.
Vijayan highlighted the intense police presence and barricading in the national capital, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to choke the voices of the people. “When those in power fear the voice of the people, democracy itself is under attack,” Vijayan stated via social media, adding that repression would not extinguish the resolve of citizens to defend their rights.
He further noted that thousands had assembled to defend the Constitution, asserting that while barricades might block streets, they cannot halt the "march of democracy."
Delhi Turned Into a "Fortress"
The scale of the security crackdown did not go unnoticed by the opposition. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of transforming Delhi into a "fortress" to crush peaceful demonstrations led by the youth.
Ramesh claimed that the central leadership is "extremely nervous and rattled" by the protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar. He specifically pointed to concerns regarding the planned disenfranchisement of voters, a right guaranteed by Article 326 of the Constitution.
Detentions and Metro Closures
The atmosphere remained volatile as Delhi Police began detaining activists, citing a lack of official permission for the protest. The crackdown reportedly extended even to arrival points, with CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke claiming via video that he and his associates were detained immediately upon deboarding their flight at Delhi Airport.
The CJP also alleged that content creator Dhruv Rathee had been detained during the unrest, characterizing the government's actions as being "terrified" of young people who question authority.
The impact on the city's infrastructure was significant:
- Metro Disruptions: A total of 46 Metro stations were reported closed.
- Heightened Security: Entry points to the national capital were placed under strict surveillance.
- Massive Deployment: Armed security personnel were stationed across multiple locations to manage the crowds.