Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Section 163 imposed, Delhi cops say 'slogan shouting, dharnas, public speeches' not allowed

Roads leading to Jantar Mantar are seen closed amid heavy deployment of security personnel ahead of a protest called for October 2 against the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI)

Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Student unions have announced a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Friday, Gandhi Jayanti, seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the functioning of the Election Commission and its handling of electoral rolls. The proposed march by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has not been granted permission by Delhi Police. However, the organisations plan to go ahead with the mobilisation, with nearly 1,500 people expected to participate, a member of one of the organisations said....Read More

The planned mobilisation comes amid wider protests by activists and student groups over the Election Commission's handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Police deny permission, barricades put up

Delhi Police has so far not granted permission for the proposed October 2 protest at Jantar Mantar, police sources told news agency ANI.

The demonstration has been called by social activists and student groups. Police have also put up barricades on roads leading to the Jantar Mantar area ahead of the proposed protest.

Parallel CJP protest planned in Mumbai

Meanwhile, Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, has announced a parallel "Jail Bharo Andolan" at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on October 2 at 4pm.

Dipke had earlier said Mumbai Police denied permission for CJP's proposed protest against Kumar. He subsequently announced that the group would launch the "Jail Bharo Andolan" on Gandhi Jayanti.

Mumbai Police, however, clarified that it was "not empowered to grant permission" for a gathering at Shivaji Park in view of a 2013 Bombay High Court order. The police also said the area is a "silence zone."

AAP appeals to people to join protest

AAP MLA and former Delhi chief minister Atishi on Thursday appealed to people to reach Jantar Mantar at 10am on Friday. In a post on X, she said, "Let's go to Jantar Mantar 2 October 2026 10 AM."

In a video message, Atishi said, "When India became independent in 1947, the most important right we received was the right to vote. We could choose whose government would be formed, and we could choose our own representatives. But today, the BJP is trying to snatch that right away from us through Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. If the right to vote is in danger, it means our democracy is in danger. Therefore, I appeal to all of you to reach Jantar Mantar tomorrow, October 2nd, at 10:00 AM to protect your right to vote."

AAP MP Sanjay Singh also appealed to people to join the protest, alleging that 1.37 crore names had been deleted from electoral rolls in the name of SIR.

What triggered protest

The protest comes amid criticism of the Election Commission over the SIR of electoral rolls. The controversy intensified after a newspaper report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to decisions and orders, some of which they said were issued without their knowledge.

However, the ECI has said that the three-member poll panel took all decisions unanimously, including those concerning the SIR.

Follow all the updates here:

Oct 2, 2026, 07:29:04 IST

Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: In view of the protest call at Jantar Mantar today, Delhi Police have put up barricades and closed Jantar Mantar Road to traffic.

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has also been imposed at Jantar Mantar as part of the security arrangements.

Oct 2, 2026, 07:24:59 IST

Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory in view of restrictions and regulated movement around Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas on October 2.

Traffic diversions and regulations will be in place around Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, GPO, Tolstoy Marg, Jantar Mantar Road, Parliament Street and adjoining roads.

The traffic police has advised commuters to avoid the affected stretches wherever feasible, plan their journeys in advance and allow additional travel time. Motorists have also been asked to follow diversion signs and directions of traffic personnel to avoid congestion.

Oct 2, 2026, 07:22:51 IST

Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Security has been beefed up in the national capital ahead of the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Visuals shared by news agency PTI from Patel Chowk show heightened security arrangements in the area.

Oct 2, 2026, 07:12:49 IST

Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Delhi Police and central security agencies have stepped up preparations for Friday's protests at Jantar Mantar after reviewing their handling of the demonstrations held two months ago by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), officials said.

As part of the review, police identified several security lapses, including allowing food deliveries to the protest site and the presence of broken pavements and walls in and around the New Delhi area that could be used by protesters as projectiles. “Stones from broken pavements were used as projectiles last time,” an official said.

Over the past two months, Delhi Police have also conducted anti-riot drills across the city and counselled personnel on handling protesters who record them on their phones or livestream from demonstration sites. The latest protests are centred on demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Read More