Delhi Jantar Mantar Protest Day 3: Clashes, Mass Detentions as Anti-CEC Marches Intensify

New Delhi: Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar entered their third day on Sunday, October 4, with multiple opposition parties, student groups and civic organisations holding marches in central Delhi.

Demonstrators attempted to move from the India Gate area towards Jantar Mantar despite police restrictions. Authorities deployed thousands of security personnel, including Rapid Action Force and paramilitary units, as barricades were placed at several points across the protest route.

Several prominent figures were detained during the demonstrations, including senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj and AISA national president Neha Bora. Bora was later released, according to reports.

Tensions also escalated near Jantar Mantar and Parliament Street, where protesters and security personnel reportedly clashed. A window of a police transport vehicle was damaged during the confrontation.

The alleged detention of independent journalist Rosy also triggered protests from student groups and political leaders. Protesters claimed that her detention was linked to her participation in demonstrations over an alleged sexual harassment complaint involving a senior police officer. The allegation remains disputed and is subject to further inquiry.

Later in the evening, the Indian Youth Congress launched its “Reclaim Jantar Mantar March”, raising allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and demanding action against the Election Commission.

Opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Brinda Karat, criticised the police response and the deployment of security forces. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also joined the criticism.

With protests continuing for a third consecutive day, the situation in central Delhi remained tense amid heavy security deployment and continued political mobilisation.