Anti-CEC protest: Dilli Haat becomes Jantar Mantar for a day
As protesters struggle to reach designated protest site, students and others gather in smaller groups near INA; police detain hundreds
Hundreds of protesters, mostly unaffiliated with any organization, gathered at Dilli Haat on Saturday afternoon after being unable to reach Jantar Mantar due to barricades. The protest, initiated by a social media post by All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, saw demonstrators split into smaller groups and march near AIIMS Metro station, INA Metro station, Safdarjung flyover, and adjoining residential colonies.
Police chased and detained many protesters, who wore masks to avoid security and family repercussions.
By evening, hundreds had congregated near Dilli Haat Metro station, where they were forcefully moved into buses. Many protesters expressed concern over revealing their identities. Despite initial attempts to reach Jantar Mantar, protesters spent hours trying in vain. At 1:10 p.m., Ms. Bora announced the protest had moved to Dilli Haat.
Upon arrival, police barricaded the Safdarjung flyover, and more detentions occurred. Ms. Bora and other leaders were detained, and one protester was seen with a head injury. Protesters from across the city struggled to reach Dilli Haat, with one graduate estimating it took around four hours to arrive. The large crowd caused Dilli Haat gates to close, and women hawkers protested the police's treatment of protesters.
Throughout the day, police continued to detain protesters, with some questioning their nameplates breaking while intervening. The protest intensified as more students joined, resulting in hundreds being detained on the road by 4:30 p.m.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
