Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the extensive security restrictions imposed across New Delhi on Saturday, October 10, amid protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In a post on X, Tharoor questioned the deployment of security personnel, restrictions on public movement, transport disruptions and suspension of internet services in parts of the capital. He argued that citizens should be able to raise questions about electoral integrity peacefully and urged the government to respond to their concerns rather than rely on restrictive measures.

Tharoor said he returned to the national capital after 2 am and was struck by the scale of the security arrangements. He referred to checkpoints, concrete barricades and spike strips placed on roads, alongside a deployment of approximately 22,000 police and paramilitary personnel across the city. He also cited reports of 250 train cancellations and the closure of 45 metro stations, as well as allegations that young people had been detained at their homes and on streets around Delhi. These figures were cited by Tharoor in his criticism of the restrictions.

The Congress leader particularly objected to the suspension of internet services in parts of the capital, describing the measure as regressive and restrictive. He questioned why access to roads leading to Jantar Mantar, a designated location for demonstrations, had also been restricted. Tharoor argued that the arrangements limited citizens’ ability to assemble and express dissent. He also drew attention to women’s safety, questioning whether comparable urgency and resources were being directed towards protecting women in the capital.

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Tharoor called for the release of those detained during the protests and questioned whether similar restrictions would be imposed if demonstrators returned on Monday. Using the phrase “undeclared Emer-GenZ”, he drew a comparison between the restrictions and an undeclared Emergency, referring to the young people involved in the agitation. He maintained that a government confident in the fairness of elections should welcome public scrutiny rather than treat questions about the electoral process as a threat.

The protest was organised amid allegations of irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Protesters have questioned the revision process and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The Election Commission’s voter-list revision exercise has become a point of political contention, with opposition voices raising concerns about its implementation. The allegations remain contested, and questions about the process have become central to the demonstrations.

Tharoor argued that heavy security deployments and barricades would not restore public confidence in the Election Commission. He urged the authorities to address the concerns raised by citizens and said a response based on transparency and dialogue would help ease tensions. His remarks added to the political debate over the balance between maintaining public order and protecting the right to peaceful protest, as security restrictions and detentions drew scrutiny from opposition leaders.

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