CEC protest intensifies in Delhi; AISA, AAP workers detained as marches hit barricades | India News

NEW DELHI: Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar intensified in Delhi on Sunday, with AAP workers, AISA and NSUI activists among those detained as demonstrators attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar for the third consecutive day.AAP workers, members of its student wing ASAP, NSUI workers, AISA activists and members of other organisations took part in the demonstrations, prompting heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel across central Delhi.The protests are part of a wider agitation over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s functioning, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged mass deletion of voters.Here are the top developments

AISA stages protest

AISA members and activists from several organisations marched from the Ashoka Road area towards Jantar Mantar but were stopped by police barricades.The protesters briefly clashed with security personnel as they tried to cross the barricades. AISA national president Neha Bora was among those seen attempting to breach the police cordon. Senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal also participated in the protest.The mobilisation began from Andhra Bhawan Circle on Ashoka Road, with protesters raising slogans against Kumar and demanding his resignation.

Neha Bora detained

AISA members later alleged that Bora was taken away in a private vehicle and that her whereabouts were initially unknown.The organisation said the detention took place as its activists attempted to return to Jantar Mantar for the third consecutive day despite heavy barricading and security arrangements.Visuals showed Bora attempting to climb over a barricade as police officials tried to stop her.Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke slammed Delhi Police for detaining Bora, saying it has “once again shown cowardice”.In a post on X, Dipke said, “Delhi Police has once again shown its cowardice by detaining Neha and Rosy for simply raising their voices. Rosy yesterday was molested by ACP Vivek Bhagat and instead of acting against the pervert, the cops detained her.“So much for women empowerment Narendra Modi,” he added.

AAP workers detained at India Gate

More than a dozen AAP workers were detained during the protest at India Gate, including Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj and MLA Sanjeev Jha. Visuals from the protest showed AAP workers blocking buses carrying detained protesters as security personnel tried to clear the area. The situation escalated when protesters broke through barricades and moved towards Jantar Mantar, where Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force were deployed to stop them.Bharadwaj alleged that police manhandled him during the detention and said protesters were being treated harshly.“They are picking me up and throwing me around like I am a football… There is such a large police force here, yet they are not even registering an FIR against their own ACP, nor are they arresting the ACP,” he said.Bharadwaj also shared a photograph on X, saying he had been turned upside down by Delhi Police at India Gate to hide his face from cameras.“These are my shoes in the air,” he said.AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal criticised the police action on X, saying, “This is absolutely shocking. Modi ji has left even Hitler behind.”

Female journalists allege sexual harassment

The protests have also triggered a controversy over allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct by police personnel during Saturday’s demonstrations.Three women identifying themselves as journalists complained that they were manhandled and sexually harassed by police officers while covering the protests near Jantar Mantar on October 3.Delhi Police said the complaints had been received, medical examinations conducted and the matter transferred to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry”.CPM leader Brinda Karat criticised the police over the handling of the complaints and questioned the reported demand for video evidence before registering an FIR.“Now, when sexual harassment is happening with a journalist and Delhi Police is trying to save him and it is being asked to show the video,” Karat said, calling the response “extremely wrong”.Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have also criticised the alleged police conduct and demanded accountability.

Over 500 detained on Friday

More than 500 protesters, including student activists and political leaders, were detained during demonstrations in central Delhi on Friday. AAP leaders, Bora and activist Yogendra Yadav were among those detained.