Anti-CEC protests escalate in Delhi: Opposition MPs call for march

Anti-CEC protests have intensified in Delhi as opposition MPs, from the INDIA bloc, have called for a march demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the reversal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The Delhi Police have heightened security measures across the New Delhi district following these calls for protest.

Protests have been ongoing since October 2, led by the Left and other opposition parties. In response, police have barricaded several intersections and routes leading to Parliament and Jantar Mantar. On Tuesday, over five companies of paramilitary personnel and local police were deployed along these routes, with the opposition MPs and leaders expected to march from Makar Dwar of Parliament to the Election Commission office between 10.30 am and 11 am.

Multi-layered barricades have been erected outside the main entrance of the Election Commission and around Jantar Mantar. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 are in force in New Delhi, prohibiting gatherings. In connection with the past five days of protests near Jantar Mantar, the police have registered nine FIRs under various sections, including violations of prohibitory orders, rioting, and assaulting police personnel while discharging their duties in central Delhi.

Eighteen people have been arrested, while more than 300 individuals were detained and later released. The police are also preparing for another protest later in the week. The Cockroach Janta Party has scheduled a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10, as part of a nationwide stir, demanding Kumar's resignation. This is the group's second round of protests following their July agitation, during which they successfully pushed for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a month-long protest at Jantar Mantar.