Anti-CEC Delhi protest LIVE updates: Dhruv Rathee detained; several other protesters taken away from Jantar Mantar

Politics

'Black Emergency' imposed in the country: AAP

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday accused the BJP-led central government of imposing a "black emergency" in the country, following the detention by the police of several protesters coming to Jantar Mantar to join the CJP protest. AAP MLA Gopal Rai said the party shut down metro stations and cancelled trains only to protect one person. Click here for live updates from the protest "Instead of removing CEC Gyanesh Kumar, the Centre has declared a black emergency in the country. Today, to protect Kumar, you have turned Delhi into a cantonment. But remember this, it does not matter how much force you push in, this movement will not be suppressed," Rai told reporters. AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj said the protestors only want to raise their issues in a "non-violent" way, but heavy deployment of forces creates an environment of fear. Live Events "You can not make Gen-Z keep quiet by force; these are our youth, talk to them, engage with them. BJP Govt wants to show that we are a scared country. We are not; we believe in non-violence and the Constitution of India," Bharadwaj said in a video message. The Cockroach Janata Party is scheduled to protest at Jantar Mantar here on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Kumar for alleged "vote theft." Delhi Metro closed 45 stations from 9 pm on Friday till 6 pm on Saturday for security reasons, an advisory said. On Friday, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said he and his family will come to the CJP protest and urged the youths to join him. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

Economic Times·3 hours ago·1 min read

Politics

‘PM Modi has accepted defeat’: CJP's Dipke

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday accused PM Narendra Modi of having “accepted defeat” even before the party’s planned protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar began, while Delhi Police detained around 150 protestors who were attempting to reach Jantar Mantar. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained by Delhi Police from his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram, PTI reported, citing sources. Click here for live updates from the protest Police have also detained more than 600 people with criminal records across Delhi’s 15 districts as part of preventive measures ahead of the proposed demonstration, PTI reported. Delhi has tightened security ahead of the protest, with entry and exit suspended at 45 Metro stations, multiple train cancellations and intensified checks at border points. Live Events Police have deployed drones to monitor movement, body cameras to record encounters and additional forces, including the Rapid Action Force and CRPF, while the RAF has conducted a flag march from Mandi House. Authorities have denied permission for the demonstration and imposed prohibitory orders in New Delhi. In a post on X shortly before boarding his flight from Mumbai, Dipke said the shutdown of parts of the capital and the crackdown on supporters were “not signs of strength”, but reflected a leader terrified of his own people. Speaking at Mumbai airport, to reporters, he also accused the government of being “scared” amid heightened security arrangements and train cancellations in Delhi. Dipke left the Four Seasons Hotel in Worli for Mumbai airport at around 6.50 am and was expected to reach Delhi by 10 am, a CJP functionary has said. The party has called the protest to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged manipulation of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and changes relating to Form 6, which is used for voter registration. Delhi Police has denied permission for the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar, citing security considerations and procedural requirements. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

Economic Times·3 hours ago·2 min read

Politics

Delhi protest: What's happening today?

Security has been tightened across Delhi ahead of a planned protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and INDIA bloc at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10. The demonstration is aimed at demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Police have detained more than 150 people, while restrictions on Metro services, internet access and road traffic have affected movement across parts of the national capital.Delhi protest: Dhruv Rathee among those detainedYouTuber Dhruv Rathee has been detained by Delhi Police from his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram, sources told news agency PTI.The Cockroach Janta Party also claimed on X that Rathee had been detained, alleging that the government was afraid of young people who questioned its actions.CJP's legal head Ratna Singh was also reportedly detained from her Delhi residence, according to media reports.Meanwhile, police detained more than 150 protesters on Saturday morning ahead of the planned demonstration. Earlier, a few protesters who had started gathering at Jantar Mantar were also detained.The detentions came amid heightened security arrangements across Delhi, with police checking vehicles at border points and deploying personnel at key locations to prevent unauthorised gatherings.Why is CJP protesting at Jantar Mantar?The CJP has called for a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and opposing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.The protest comes amid an escalating political confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission of India over allegations of 'vote chori' and concerns surrounding the revision of electoral rolls.Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstration at Jantar Mantar, citing a previous breakdown of law and order in the area.CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke criticised the government's response to the planned protest, alleging that authorities were attempting to discourage people from participating.Speaking to reporters in Mumbai before leaving for Delhi, Dipke accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being afraid of young people who question the government. He also alleged that police personnel were visiting residential areas to discourage residents from joining the demonstration.Dipke maintained that peaceful protest was a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution.Delhi Metro closes gates at 45 stationsThe Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced restrictions at 45 Metro stations in view of the planned demonstration and the associated security arrangements.Entry and exit gates at the affected stations were closed from 9 pm on Friday, October 9, with the restrictions scheduled to continue through Saturday evening.The measures were intended to manage crowds and maintain security around sensitive locations in the national capital. The restrictions have also affected access to stations in areas surrounding the planned protest.Commuters have been advised to check official Delhi Metro updates before travelling, as services and access arrangements may change depending on the security situation.Delhi Airport issues travel advisoryDelhi Airport has advised passengers travelling to and from the airport to plan their journeys in advance and allow additional time for their commute.The advisory was issued amid heightened security arrangements and anticipated traffic restrictions linked to the protest.“In view of the enhanced security arrangements and anticipated traffic restrictions in Delhi, passengers travelling to and from Delhi Airport are advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow additional time for their commute,” the airport said in a statement.It also advised passengers to consider alternative transport options, including cabs and city buses, where appropriate.Delhi Traffic Police separately advised commuters to keep extra travel time if heading towards railway stations, inter-state bus terminals (ISBTs) or the airport through New Delhi and Central Delhi.People were also advised to avoid non-essential travel. The police said traffic management arrangements could be adjusted based on real-time assessments of the situation.Internet services suspended near Janpath and Kartavya PathAuthorities have imposed additional restrictions in parts of central Delhi, including a temporary suspension of internet services around the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing.Internet services were suspended within a radius of 4 km from the crossing for 24 hours, starting at 10 pm on Friday, October 9.The area is considered sensitive because of its proximity to key government buildings and other important locations.Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has also been imposed in Delhi as authorities step up security ahead of the demonstration.Separately, Gautam Buddh Nagar Police imposed prohibitory orders across the district from Saturday morning until October 20. The restrictions prohibit gatherings of five or more people without prior permission, processions, provocative speeches and the spread of misleading information.Security tightened at Delhi borders and key locationsDelhi Police remained on high alert on Saturday, with security strengthened across the national capital and vehicle checks intensified at inter-state and inter-district borders.Police personnel were deployed at several entry points, including the Aya Nagar, Ghazipur and Badarpur borders. Barricades were installed at multiple locations, while personnel checked vehicles entering Delhi.Deputy Commissioner of Police Anant Mittal visited the Aya Nagar border to review security arrangements.Speaking to news agency IANS, Mittal said special arrangements had been made at inter-state and inter-district borders to prevent unauthorised elements from entering New Delhi and to maintain law and order.Police personnel were also equipped with body cameras to record incidents and help monitor any physical altercations during the demonstration.Drone surveillance was underway at key locations, including New Delhi Railway Station, where Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed. Security marches were also conducted.Security was strengthened outside the residences of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Additional security personnel were deployed at sensitive locations, while roads leading towards Janpath and Mandi House witnessed barricading and checks.Train cancellations inconvenience passengersSeveral trains were cancelled amid the heightened security arrangements, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling to and from Delhi on Saturday.Passengers at railway stations reported having to change their travel plans at short notice.One passenger told IANS that trains running via Jaunpur, including the Tapti Ganga and Kashi Vishwanath Express, had been cancelled. The passenger said they might have to travel to Lucknow and change trains or take a bus to reach their destination.Another passenger travelling from Gujarat said they had faced difficulties reaching Ghaziabad after arriving at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, as the expected connecting trains were unavailable.However, some passengers reported that their journeys had continued without difficulty, with trains arriving at Hazrat Nizamuddin on time.Police and Rapid Action Force personnel remained deployed at railway stations, while drone surveillance and security patrols continued.Delhi protest: What should commuters keep in mind?With security measures in force across Delhi and neighbouring areas, commuters should check the latest official advisories before setting out.Metro: Check DMRC updates for restrictions on entry and exit gates at affected stations.Airport: Allow extra time for travel and consider alternative transport options.Roads: Check Delhi Traffic Police advisories before travelling through central Delhi or towards railway stations and ISBTs.Trains: Verify train status with the relevant railway authorities before leaving for the station.Internet: Be aware of the reported temporary suspension of internet services in parts of central Delhi.Authorities have said that security and traffic arrangements may be modified depending on the situation on the ground. The restrictions come as police prepare to manage the planned demonstration while maintaining law and order across the national capital.

Economic Times·3 hours ago·6 min read

Anti-CEC Delhi protest LIVE updates: Dhruv Rathee detained; several other protesters taken away from Jantar Mantar

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'Black Emergency' imposed in the country: AAP

‘PM Modi has accepted defeat’: CJP's Dipke

Delhi protest: What's happening today?