NSUI workers detained during march to Jantar Mantar, seek CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation

Ravi Saraf

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) Hundreds of National Students' union of India (NSUI) workers were detained by Delhi Police on Friday while marching towards Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid heightened security in the national capital. Led by NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar, the protesters marched from the organisation's headquarters at 5, Raisina Road, raising slogans and demanding greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

The protesters sought answers from the Election Commission on issues related to electoral rolls and the conduct of elections, and demanded that the poll panel respond publicly to their concerns. As the marchers approached Jantar Mantar, Delhi Police erected barricades to stop them and subsequently detained Jakhar along with hundreds of other NSUI workers. Before his detention, Jakhar said, "The voice of democracy cannot be suppressed by detaining students," and demanded that the Election Commission publicly respond to questions concerning the electoral process.

The action came amid protests by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and student organisations in Delhi, with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) also restricting access to several stations as a security measure. Entry and exit were closed at 11 stations -- Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi. The DMRC said in a post on X that the stations would remain closed until further notice.

Interchange facilities, however, remained available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat. Delhi Police had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in New Delhi ahead of the proposed demonstrations. Police had also denied permission for the protest. Under the order, assemblies of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing, dharnas, slogan-shouting and speeches are prohibited without prior written permission.

The order also prohibits the carrying of firearms, banners, placards, lathis, swords, sticks, brickbats and similar articles. Citizens and visitors were advised to comply with the restrictions and refrain from participating in any unauthorised gathering.

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