In an unprecedented security crackdown, the national capital was turned into a virtual fortress on Saturday as Delhi Police and paramilitary forces detained over 3,000 protesters. The massive police action aimed to prevent a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and various opposition leaders demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
### **High-Profile Detentions and CJP’s Protest**
The day began with the detention of key CJP leaders, including **Abhijeet Dipke**, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The leaders were en route to Jantar Mantar to protest alleged irregularities in the **Special Intensive Revision (SIR)** of electoral rolls.
Adding to the tension, popular social media influencer **Dhruv Rathee** was detained at his residence in Gurugram by nearly 50 police personnel in plain clothes. According to reports monitored by **Business Promotion24**, the agitation saw support from major political figures like Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, while CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde has already announced a follow-up march for Sunday.
### **Delhi Grounded: Security Measures and Disruptions**
To maintain order, the authorities deployed over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel. The scale of the security ring was massive:
* **Metro Closures:** 45 Metro stations, including Supreme Court and Mandi House, were shut down.
* **Internet Curbs:** Digital blackouts were imposed in Central Delhi to prevent the coordination of protesters.
* **Institutional Shifts:** Schools, colleges, and courts were forced to operate online for the day.
* **Surveillance:** Drones and body cameras were used extensively to monitor gatherings.
Despite these measures, minor clashes were reported. In Jhandewalan, stones were pelted at a bus carrying detainees, and protesters reportedly broke barricades near Akashwani Bhavan. For the latest updates on how these disruptions affect local commerce, stay tuned to **Business Promotion24**.
### **Political and Legal Fallout**
The crackdown has sparked a fierce war of words. Congress President **Mallikarjun Kharge** accused the government of turning India into a “Muzzled Democracy,” while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra claimed the administration is “terrified” of its illegitimacy being exposed. Conversely, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta slammed the protesters for holding the city hostage for political gains, vowing that anarchy would not be tolerated.
The legal battle is now heading to the judiciary. The Supreme Court is expected to hold a special sitting on Sunday to hear a contempt petition filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi. The petition alleges that the blanket closure of Metro services violates previous court orders regarding the public’s right to movement.
As the city remains on edge, the CJP has vowed to continue its march until the CEC resigns. Whether the authorities will allow the Sunday protest or maintain the current lockdown remains to be seen.
**Stay informed with Business Promotion24 for more breaking news and in-depth analysis on Delhi’s political landscape.**
