All India Students’ Association (AISA) activists returned to the Jantar Mantar area on Saturday, a day after more than 1,000 protesters, including political leaders and student activists, were detained during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The fresh mobilisation took place amid heavy police deployment and barricading around the protest site.
The Saturday gathering followed a call from AISA national president Neha Bora, who was among those detained during Friday’s protest. Bora had urged activists to return to Jantar Mantar at 1 pm and continue raising their concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding Kumar’s resignation.
Police began detaining protesters as they gathered near the designated protest area, with security personnel positioned at multiple points and barricades placed on roads leading towards Jantar Mantar. The previous day’s demonstration had involved political leaders, student groups and civil society activists, with police detaining nearly 1,000 people, according to PTI.
Also Read: Delhi Traffic Police Issue Advisory for Anti-CEC Protest at Jantar Mantar
The protests are linked to allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls, including claims of mass deletion of voters. Protesters have sought greater scrutiny of the process and called for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. These allegations and demands have been raised by opposition parties and civil society groups, while the protests have continued in Delhi.
Friday’s action also involved several prominent political and student leaders. The New Indian Express reported that Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary M.A. Baby, veteran Left leader Brinda Karat, DYFI leaders and former JNU Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh were among those detained. Youth Congress workers also attempted to march towards the Election Commission office but were stopped by police barricades.
The return of AISA activists to Jantar Mantar on Saturday indicates that the mobilisation has continued despite the previous day’s detentions. Police maintained a significant security presence around the area as protesters gathered again, while the broader dispute remains centred on the electoral-roll revision process and the demands being raised against the Election Commission leadership.
Also Read: Delhi Police Refuse Permission for Jantar Mantar Protest Seeking CEC Kumar's Exit