Police did not allow protest, restrictions in 57 Delhi metro stations

The Cockroach Janata Party has called for a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday (October 10) demanding the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 

However, the Delhi Police did not grant permission for the protest on the grounds that the protesters did not apply within the stipulated time and did not follow the police instructions during the previous programme. Security in the capital has been beefed up in view of the programme. The police have also proposed to temporarily close the entry and exit points of 57 metro stations in Delhi.

On Friday, senior Delhi Police officer Nupur Prasad said that the organization had submitted an application on October 7 for the program on October 10. However, according to police rules, permission for protests or public meetings in specific areas like Jantar Mantar has to be applied for at least 10 days in advance. Due to this, the police said that it was not possible to grant permission. According to PTI and Indian media reports.

The call for the event comes amid a political debate in India over the intensive revision of the voter list. The Cockroach Janata Party and several student organizations have demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the process of revising the voter list. However, the Election Commission and the ruling BJP have denied the allegations of political bias. 

The Election Commission said that this revision is being done to make the voter list accurate. Police said that in some previous programs, the organizers did not follow the rules and instructions. If there is an attempt to gather without permission or to deteriorate the law and order situation, action will be taken as per the law. Prohibitory orders are also in force in New Delhi district.

There are also fears of travel restrictions due to the protests. According to the police proposal, the entrances and exits of 57 metro stations may be closed from 9 pm on Friday and the train frequency may be increased at some stations. As a result, there is a risk of inconvenience to passengers in important areas of the capital. Opposition parties, student organizations and civil society organizations have been protesting against the revision of the electoral roll for the past few days. The protesters demand that transparency be ensured in the process of revising the voter list and that the rights of those whose names were wrongly omitted be restored. 

On the other hand, the administration says that maintaining public safety and law and order is their main responsibility. In this situation, the security and traffic situation in Delhi will be closely monitored around Saturday's program. There is also interest in what decisions the organizers make about the program even if there is no police permission.