Mass Detentions of Protest Leaders and Thousands of Demonstrators in New Delhi Ahead of CJP Rally

Delhi Police have launched a massive crackdown ahead of a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in the Indian capital. Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, CJP convenor Abhijit Deepake and hundreds of others were reportedly detained as they prepared to join the demonstration.

The protest has triggered extensive security restrictions across New Delhi, with authorities reportedly preventing young people from entering the capital from neighbouring states.

The CJP, along with several political and student organisations, called for Saturday’s demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

According to NDTV, CJP convenor Abhijit Deepake arrived at Delhi airport on Saturday morning on a flight from Mumbai. As soon as the aircraft landed at 10:19 am, a large contingent of police personnel, including women officers, surrounded the party leaders.

Before disembarking, CJP leaders began broadcasting live on Instagram. The footage reportedly showed heated exchanges between the police and the protesters.

“We came to Delhi knowing that we would be arrested. We are not afraid,” Deepake said during the livestream.

Police subsequently detained Deepake, Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Delhi Police also confirmed the detentions.

Condemning the police action, the CJP said in a statement that detaining its leaders before they could reach Jantar Mantar for a peaceful protest was a premeditated government move. The party described the action as a clear violation of citizens’ freedom of movement and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its leaders.

Earlier, police reportedly detained popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee from his residence in Gurugram as he prepared to participate in the demonstration. According to police, he was taken into custody after refusing a request not to travel to Delhi.

Ratna Singh, a legal support coordinator for the CJP, was also detained on Saturday morning while heading to join a protest march organised by lawyers.

Overall, reports indicate that around 1,000 people were detained at various locations between Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police reportedly detained at least 5,000 protesters, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, as well as former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Kejriwal was detained outside his residence in the Lodhi Estate area of New Delhi on Saturday morning. Several senior AAP leaders were reportedly present with him at the time. Shortly before his detention, Kejriwal shared a video message on social media while sitting inside a bus.

Security across the capital had been tightened from Friday night to prevent the CJP’s planned demonstration. Around 41,000 security personnel were reportedly deployed across Delhi, while at least 45 metro stations were said to have been closed.

Restrictions under Section 143 were reportedly imposed in several areas, and internet services were suspended in some locations. All mail and express trains heading to Delhi were also reportedly cancelled from early Saturday morning until noon.

Police continued making public announcements through loudspeakers in and around Jantar Mantar, urging people to comply with the restrictions.

Amid the tense situation, BJP national president Nitin Nabin launched a sharp attack on the opposition at a press conference on Saturday morning. He alleged that a particular group was attempting to disrupt peace and law and order in the national capital.