Byline: Political Bureau | New Delhi Chronicle
Published: October 3, 2026
NEW DELHI — Tensions escalated at central Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday as police detained activists from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) attempting to regroup for a fresh demonstration. The protest comes a day after security forces detained over 1,000 demonstrators demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Heavy security forces deployed barricades across key arterial roads leading to Jantar Mantar to block entry. Despite the heightened security and perimeter checks, student activists gathered at the site to press their demands against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Call for Mobilisation Following Mass Detentions
The fresh wave of protests followed an appeal by AISA National President Neha Bora, who was among those detained during Friday’s mass rally. In a video statement released after her release late Friday evening, Bora called on student bodies and political activists to reassemble at Jantar Mantar by 1:00 PM on Saturday.
“The government and police detentions will not silence or intimidate us. We will continue our struggle to safeguard democratic electoral processes,” Bora asserted in her address.
Friday’s major demonstration saw a joint front of political and student organizations, including AISA, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and senior political activist Yogendra Yadav. Delhi Police had denied permission for the gathering, leading to central Delhi being placed under strict security lockdown, including temporary restrictions at nearby Metro station gates.
Row Over Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
The agitation stems from growing opposition to the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Protesting organizations allege widespread procedural irregularities and arbitrary voter exclusions during the revision drive.
The public outcry has intensified following reports that dissension exists within the Election Commission itself regarding the execution of the SIR drive. Internal records indicate that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded dissent at least 14 times over the past ten months, alleging key directives and operational orders were issued without their direct concurrence or recommendation.
