New Delhi, Read: Opposition parties and various student organizations demonstrated in Delhi on Friday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police detained more than 700 people to stop the protesters in Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas. Those detained included former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and AAP leaders along with many student organization workers.

The protesters demanded the resignation of the CEC, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and deletion of names of a large number of voters. Members of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), All India Students Association (AISA), Students Federation of India (SFI), National Students Union of India (NSUI), DYFI and other organizations participated in the protest.

Protestors stopped before reaching Jantar Mantar

According to police, around 700 SFI workers tried to move towards Jantar Mantar but were stopped near Ashoka Road roundabout. Many of these people were detained. Party workers including AAP leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Sanjeev Jha were detained from Jantar Mantar. Sanjay Singh was stopped by the police at North Avenue.

Many workers of the organization including NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar were also detained. Jakhar was stopped during a foot march taken out from NSUI office towards Jantar Mantar. He claimed in a social media post that police action was taken against the workers during the march.

Youth Congress also took out a march

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers marched from the office on Raisina Road towards Jantar Mantar. Some protesters were wearing masks with the faces of the CEC and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The protesters held posters and banners demanding the resignation of the CEC and accountability from the Election Commission.

Led by IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib, the activists raised slogans like 'CEC should resign', 'Election Commission should answer' and 'Save democracy'. The police stopped the protesters from moving forward by placing barricades and detained many people.

Police said- demonstration was not allowed

Delhi Police said that permission was not given for the proposed demonstration. Along with imposing prohibitory orders in Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas, additional security forces were deployed and barricading was done at many places. Policemen continued to appeal to people through public announcements not to gather at Jantar Mantar.

AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said in the video message that the party had given the letter for permission for the demonstration about a week ago. He raised the question that despite Jantar Mantar being the designated protest venue, why permission was required for the protest there.

Sanjay Singh sitting on strike in Parliament premises

After being stopped from going to Jantar Mantar, Sanjay Singh staged a protest in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Parliament complex. He called it a protest against 'vote theft' and said that his movement would continue.

SFI General Secretary Aishi Ghosh also claimed that several SFI and DYFI workers have been detained. Meanwhile, AISA activists alleged that force was used against protesters, including women, during their detention.

Entry-exit closed at 11-12 metro stations

In view of the protest and security arrangements, Delhi Metro temporarily closed entry and exit at several stations in Central Delhi. Reports say these restrictions are in place at 11 to 12 stations. These include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Janpath, Mandi House and New Delhi and other stations.

Information has also come to light that internet services have been suspended in the protest site and surrounding areas. As part of security arrangements, police increased surveillance and barricading on many routes leading to Jantar Mantar.