‘CJP’s Protest Sparks Tension in Delhi; Paramilitary Forces Deployed, 57 Metro Stations Shut

New Delhi is on high alert, with tensions running high ahead of the ‘Jantar Mantar-2’ rally called by the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP), demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner and sweeping reforms to the electoral system. Delhi has been placed under an unprecedented security blanket to prevent protesters from gathering. Around 23,000 paramilitary personnel (231 companies) have been flown in on an emergency basis from West Bengal, Kashmir and Chhattisgarh to bring the situation under control.

According to sources at India’s Home Ministry, the deployed forces include personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). At least 15,000 Delhi Police personnel will also be on duty. This is the first time since the G20 summit that such a large number of security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order in the capital. Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly cancelled several scheduled visits to states and remained in Delhi to directly oversee the security situation.

Police denied the CJP permission to hold its rally at Jantar Mantar, citing the failure to submit an application within the stipulated timeframe. Despite the refusal, CJP leaders remain determined to go ahead with their previously announced programme on October 10. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), CJP co-convener Sourav Das said, “The right to protest is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. The authorities must decide whether they will allow us to hold a rally at Jantar Mantar or watch all of Delhi turn into Jantar Mantar.”

The central government and Delhi Police have taken a tough stance to prevent large crowds from gathering. As a preventive measure, at least 57 metro stations connecting central Delhi have been ordered to remain closed. Buses entering Delhi, student hostels and paying guest (PG) accommodations are also under strict surveillance. Police are preparing to turn several stadiums in the city into temporary detention centres to hold protesters.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj has alleged that police detained many members of the party and its student wing and took them to undisclosed locations, while their mobile phones were switched off. In addition to the CJP, the All India Students’ Association (AISA), left-wing parties, civil society groups and members of the opposition Congress party have expressed solidarity with the protest, which is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.