Anti-CEC Protest Updates: Opposition Leaders To March To Supreme Court On Oct 12, Seek Meeting With CJI After 4PM

CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das have been released by an executive magistrate’s court, according to lawyer Ratna Singh and the Cockroach Janta Party’s official account on X.

The three leaders had been detained by Delhi Police ahead of the party’s planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the revision of electoral rolls.

The CJP had earlier said the leaders were awaiting the executive magistrate’s arrival after being held in detention for nearly 24 hours. The party subsequently announced their release on Sunday.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday criticised the detention of protesters in Delhi, saying it was “unfortunate” that such incidents were taking place in a democracy. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was protesting on its own and that the Congress did not want to stop it. He added that the Congress and some INDIA bloc parties would pursue the issue separately, with their legislators expected to be in Delhi on Monday. Shivakumar said the party would fight for voters’ rights and seek to ensure that every voter in the country was protected and able to exercise their right to vote.

CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the party would hold a press conference at 2 pm. The three leaders had been detained by Delhi Police ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the revision of electoral rolls.

CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das have been released after being produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station on Sunday.

Harmeet Singh Kalka, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), has condemned attempts to hold a protest at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, saying the incident had hurt Sikh sentiments. He said the gurdwara was a sacred place of worship and should not be turned into a political arena.

Kalka objected to protesters allegedly entering the premises to stage a demonstration and said the presence of police personnel in uniform inside the gurdwara was deeply distressing for the Sikh community. He maintained that while people were welcome to offer prayers at the shrine, protests were not permitted there.

Accusing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs in Delhi of politicising the issue, Kalka warned against using the religious site for political purposes. His remarks came amid tensions surrounding the CJP protest and its fallout in the national capital.

Delhi Police said Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were released by the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) Court at Delhi Cantt on Sunday after being produced before it. In a post on X, the police said the three were placed under preventive arrest on October 10 under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and that all due legal procedures had been followed.

According to the police, a bail bond in the form of a surety bond of Rs 50,000 was furnished for maintaining peace and good behaviour for one year, following which the court ordered their release.

The Supreme Court on Sunday began hearing a batch of petitions concerning the police crackdown on protesters in Delhi on October 10, including pleas challenging the detentions and a contempt petition alleging wilful disobedience of the court’s earlier directions.

A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said it would hear lawyers seeking to mention their petitions, offering each party an opportunity to present its case. “What we propose to do is to go from right to left (in the Bar) and give an opportunity to hear every party,” the court said.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal began submissions challenging the detentions and the imposition of restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). He told the court that people were being picked up from trains and raised concerns over the suspension of internet services, referring to the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Anuradha Bhasin case.

Senior advocate Shadan Farasat also questioned the alleged manner in which protesters were handled by police, including claims that demonstrators were dragged and put on buses. Senior advocate N Hariharan submitted that citizens had lost the right to move freely around the city. Lawyers also showed the bench photographs of the police action during Saturday’s crackdown.

When lawyers thanked the court for holding a special hearing, Justice Bagchi said, “No need to thank us. We are always at the service of the nation.”

CPI(M) MP John Brittas on Sunday said the protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation would continue, regardless of whether demonstrators were allowed to enter Jantar Mantar.

“Whether they permit us to enter Jantar Mantar or not, the entire Delhi would be converted into a Jantar Mantar,” Brittas said, alleging that the Centre’s restrictions were helping the protest gain momentum.

He said the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was seeking the right to travel through Delhi and stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, which he described as a designated protest site. Brittas also said Congress and some INDIA bloc parties would pursue the issue separately, adding that their legislators were expected to be in Delhi on Monday.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Sunday that party leaders would meet the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday to apprise him of their concerns over the developments surrounding the CJP protests and the detention of demonstrators in Delhi.

“I have written a letter, and Rahul Ji has also written a letter. We have set a time between 4 and 5 PM. We will also apprise him. We can't demand anything from him. Only with folded hand we'll request them,” Kharge said.

Kharge also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of creating “chaos” in the country and described the situation as an “undeclared emergency”. Referring to the police deployment in Delhi, he claimed that nearly 32,000 personnel had been deployed on Saturday, arguing that the scale of the deployment reflected the government's concerns over the protests.

The Congress has said it will continue to raise concerns over voters' rights and alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. The CJP has been demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has alleged that around 20 people in plain clothes entered his home in the early hours of October 10 and took him away while he was asleep, in a video posted after his release. Rathee said he was not shown an arrest warrant or given an explanation for the action before being taken from his bedroom. He described the incident as a “kidnapping”, disputing the characterisation of his detention as a lawful arrest or preventive detention.

Rathee said he was taken between police stations and held for around 22 to 23 hours. He alleged that his phone and his parents’ phones were taken away, and that he was denied access to a lawyer and to his phone during that period. He also claimed he sustained injuries while being taken from his home. These allegations have not been independently verified, and the account reflects Rathee’s version of events.

In the video, Rathee displayed what he described as his Indian passport and rejected claims questioning his citizenship. He said he was an Indian citizen and argued that he had the same rights as other citizens. He also alleged that people were monitoring his movements after his release, describing the situation as a form of “house arrest”.

Rathee linked his detention to the CJP’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and criticised the authorities’ handling of the demonstrations. He thanked supporters who had called for his release and said he would continue to speak out on issues concerning the country.

Rathee’s allegations come amid the wider police action surrounding the CJP protest in Delhi on October 10. CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were also detained after arriving in the capital and were subsequently released after being produced before an executive magistrate.

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Sunday criticised the INDIA bloc’s planned October 12 protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying any move to remove the CEC must be pursued through Parliament rather than street demonstrations.

“Removing the CEC is a matter for Parliament, not the streets. Even if 300 MPs take to the streets, any such action must be pursued within Parliament,” Shaina said. She described the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as a legal process and argued that the authorities were justified in taking action if demonstrations were held without permission or endangered public safety.

Commenting separately on the CJP protest in Delhi, Shaina said the government’s position was that demonstrations required permission and that no one was above the law. She characterised the police action as preventive rather than an arrest and defended the authorities’ response on the grounds of maintaining public order.

“It is not as if Jantar Mantar is closed, but if you cause inconvenience to hundreds of thousands of people and then—upon being detained—claim you were about to be arrested and stage a drama, then naturally, detention can occur in accordance with the law,” she said.

The Supreme Court on Sunday said it would pass an interim order to ensure that Delhi Metro services function normally, the public can move freely and internet services are restored amid restrictions imposed ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The court also said lawyers should not be obstructed from discharging their professional duties. The observations came as a bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard petitions challenging police action, detentions and restrictions imposed in Delhi during Saturday’s demonstrations.

The court also said the police had no independent right to determine law and order, according to reports of the hearing. It said it would hear all parties and seek to ensure that the restrictions did not cause inconvenience to the public.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan has said peaceful protests are a fundamental democratic right but argued that demonstrations intended to incite violence or create anarchy must be stopped. Reacting to the CJP protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Paswan said the Congress should raise any concerns about the Election Commission through the proper channels. He added that he was opposed to violence of any kind.

The Supreme Court has said metro, train and internet services in Delhi should function normally, subject to the law and order situation, according to PTI. The observation comes amid heightened security in the national capital over the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The court’s remarks come after restrictions on public transport and detentions during Saturday’s demonstrations.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has cited the Supreme Court’s directions on restrictions in Delhi to demand that mobile internet services not be suspended, barricades be removed, metro stations remain open and lawyers not be harassed. In a post on X, the party criticised the government over the restrictions, saying, “Some shame should be shown by the government.” The post comes amid the ongoing dispute over police action and restrictions imposed ahead of the CJP’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Supreme Court on Sunday directed that Delhi Metro services should operate according to their normal schedule, with restrictions subject to public-order requirements, while seeking the Centre’s response on the matter by Tuesday. The CJP’s post also raises demands concerning internet access, barricades and the treatment of lawyers.

Advocate Kailash More on Sunday said internet services had been restored in Delhi, metro stations were operating normally and restrictions on the movement of people had been lifted following the Supreme Court’s intervention over curbs imposed ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest.

More said the court had affirmed that peaceful protest was a fundamental right and that citizens could demonstrate without weapons and in accordance with the law. He also said trains arriving from outside Delhi, which had earlier been barred from stopping at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations, had been permitted to operate normally.

According to More, the court also directed that people should not be detained without due process and that those held unlawfully following Saturday’s detentions should be released.

Abhijeet Dipke’s family has accused Delhi Police of delaying his release from detention, alleging that he was unable to attend his grandmother’s funeral. His mother, Anita Dipke, said the family had been unable to contact him and had postponed the last rites in the hope that he would return home. The allegation came amid controversy over Dipke’s detention ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police, however, had said it informed Dipke of his grandmother’s death while he was in custody and offered assistance to facilitate his travel to his hometown. Dipke and fellow CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were subsequently released by an executive magistrate’s court on Sunday.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Sunday expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for its intervention following the detention of protesters in Delhi ahead of the planned demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. “We are deeply grateful to the Supreme Court for having passed an order that restores faith by professionals in the system of justice in this country,” Sibal said.

The Supreme Court on Sunday directed authorities to ensure that metro and railway services function normally, internet services remain undisturbed and peaceful, unarmed people are not detained except in accordance with the law. The directions came during a hearing concerning restrictions and detentions linked to the CJP protest in Delhi.

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) said its members had been detained in Delhi for the second consecutive day as protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continued on Sunday. In a statement, the student organisation said its comrades had been detained from Connaught Place and vowed to continue the agitation despite restrictions around Jantar Mantar.

“We will decide the protest site. If you close Jantar Mantar, more Jantar Mantars will rise,” the SFI said. It reiterated its demands, raising the slogans “Gyanesh has to go” and “SIR has to be revoked”, referring to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The statement comes as Delhi Police maintains heightened security and continues to restrict gatherings in parts of the capital. The CJP and student groups have vowed to continue their protests over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and are demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

CJP leader Saurav Das has vowed that the party’s supporters will continue their protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying the younger generation will not be intimidated or silenced.

In a post on X, Das criticised the Centre’s handling of the protests in Delhi, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of turning the capital into a “fortress” and using force against citizens exercising their democratic rights. He alleged that the use of force, intimidation and threats had exposed the government and claimed that Gyanesh Kumar was central to its political survival.

“We are not backing down. We are returning with full strength!” Das wrote, using the hashtag #GyanuItsDoneBro.

CJP leader Saurav Das said “protests [are] erupting across the country” in a post on X following his release from detention in Delhi. Das was released on Sunday alongside CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, after the three were produced before an executive magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has vowed to continue its agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying it would not be intimidated by police action or detentions. In a post on X, the party said: “Detain us, arrest us, do whatever you can! We will not be intimidated. This is just the beginning. We will continue fighting until all our demands are met.”

Delhi Police is trying to maintain peace and order in the national capital amid the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. DCP New Delhi Sachin Sharma said, “The situation is under control; we are trying to maintain peace and tranquillity,” ANI reported. The statement comes as security remains heightened in Delhi following Saturday’s detentions and the CJP’s call for fresh demonstrations at Jantar Mantar on Sunday.

Delhi Police have identified and traced four men allegedly seen assaulting a male protester in a video circulating on social media during the CJP protest in Delhi. In a statement, police said Kamla Market police station took suo motu cognisance of the video and initiated legal proceedings. Police added that further action was underway in accordance with the law, reiterating their commitment to addressing complaints of violence promptly.

Delhi Police has retained restrictions in parts of New Delhi as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called for another protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Indian Express reported that a senior police officer said groups of five or more people assembling in the New Delhi area would be detained. The officer said restrictions had eased slightly compared with Saturday, with traffic moving more freely on some roads, although key routes leading to Parliament Street remained restricted.

The Supreme Court on Sunday directed the Centre to ensure that Delhi Metro and railway services operate normally and that internet services remain undisturbed amid restrictions imposed ahead of the CJP protest. The bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said public movement should be permitted subject to traffic regulations and that barricades should be reviewed in light of law and order requirements.

The court also said peaceful, unarmed people should not be detained except in accordance with the law, particularly outside areas where prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are in force. It asked the Centre to file its response by Tuesday. The directions came as the court heard petitions challenging the restrictions and detentions linked to Saturday’s demonstrations.

CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka on Sunday alleged that he, Abhijeet Dipke and Saurav Das were “kidnapped” from their flight after arriving in Delhi ahead of the party’s planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Addressing a press conference, Ranka criticised the police action and alleged that the three were taken into custody in an improper manner.

Ranka also alleged that police informed Dipke about his grandmother’s death insensitively, with a camera and microphone present, turning the moment into a spectacle. These are allegations made by Ranka; they should be presented alongside any response from Delhi Police.

Delhi Police detained around 60 to 70 protesters on Sunday after they began marching from Gate No. 6 of Palika Bazaar towards Connaught Place, according to The Indian Express. Security arrangements around Jantar Mantar were tightened again following the detentions, while entry to Sansad Marg was blocked.

The detentions came as the CJP and other groups continued their demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The developments followed Saturday’s extensive security deployment and mass detentions across the capital.

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas was detained by Delhi Police in Connaught Place on Sunday amid demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, The Indian Express reported. The detention came as police continued to restrict gatherings and movement in parts of central Delhi following Saturday’s protest crackdown.

Members of the CJP’s Jharkhand unit abandoned their journey to Delhi for the planned protest, alleging that they were followed and monitored at Ranchi railway station. The party members claimed that men in plain clothes filmed them and watched their movements while they were boarding a train.

The allegations have not been independently verified. The episode adds to the CJP’s claims of surveillance and restrictions on its supporters travelling to the national capital for the demonstration.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das has alleged that the phones of party members were seized without seizure memos, raising suspicions that the devices may have been hacked or cloned. Das said the party feared that documents or other material could be planted on the phones and later presented as evidence. The allegations come amid the CJP’s ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Cockroach Janta Party will continue to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

"We will not go back; appeal to all citizens to hit the streets: CJP's Saurav Das said in a press conference.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged that Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas was brutally attacked by the Delhi Police.

"He was later dropped by the roadside, visibly injured and in distress," the party said in a post on X.

About 100 protesters were packed into two buses and removed from the area. A man was pulled out of a burger joint on suspicion of being a protester. A video of the incident showed him telling the cops that he was simply standing at the spot and that he would not go with the team. He was later released by the police, Hindustan Times reported.

AISA president Neha Bora and others were detained after she had entered Delhi's Connaught Place by breaching barricades.

Ratna Singh, Head of Legal Affairs, CJP says, "Protest is ongoing. Today also, there was a protest that is happening. That's like that template (conditions of the magistrate). That is how, whenever they do preventive detention, that is something which everyone has to sign. So no special conditions have been imposed. That's the normal criteria for how it is done."

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said that he hasn't signed any bond that prohibits CJP from protesting and vowed to continue the demonstration against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

"Haven’t signed any bond that says we won’t protest. We will hit the streets again," Dipke said in a post on X after being released from detention.

Delhi Police released a video showing Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke being informed about his grandmother's death. It also showed that Dipke declined the offer to talk to his family.

Delhi Police said that Dipke was offered all possible assistance, including help with flights and phone calls. He was asked multiple times if he wishes to speak to his parents but he denied the offer.

Opposition leaders to march to Supreme Court tomorrow, will meet CJI after 4 pm, Hindustan Times reported.

Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu on Sunday accused the Election Commission of bias, alleging that it had enabled the splitting of political parties and the deletion of voters' names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.

Speaking after a meeting of Congress leaders in Delhi, Lallu said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was not being opposed merely as an individual, but in his capacity as the head of a constitutional institution.

“Gyanesh Kumar is not just an individual; he is a person occupying a constitutional institution. And if he thinks that only Gyanesh Kumar is being opposed, then if a person holding such a post sinks into corruption or theft, his opposition is inevitable,” Lallu said.

He alleged that the Election Commission had recognised the splits in parties led by Uddhav Thackeray and Mamata Banerjee. He also claimed that 90 lakh voters had been removed from the electoral rolls in West Bengal during the SIR and their names were restored after the elections ended.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday accused the government of crushing democracy and imposing a “dictatorship”. He alleged Delhi had been turned into a cantonment to protect one person, adding that people would continue protesting despite restrictions to defend the Constitution and democracy.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said opposition parties, youth and civil society groups would march to the Supreme Court to protest alleged “vote chori”, demand a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and seek Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has accused Delhi Police of denying him access to his phone and preventing him from contacting his cousin and lawyer after he was informed of his grandmother’s death while in custody. He also questioned the police for asking him to inform his parents of his arrest at 3.30 am, alleging that the timing caused them further distress. Dipke accused the police of lacking humanity and said he would continue protesting against the government.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray staged a protest outside Shivaji Park Police Station in Mumbai against the detention of protesters.

Amid opposition protests over alleged irregularities in the the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Congress on Sunday said it will launch a public awareness campaign in Delhi to help eligible voters verify their details and raise complaints.

A video shows a woman police officer informing CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke of his grandmother’s death and offering to arrange transport for him to attend her funeral. Dipke repeatedly says, “I’ll stay,” and tells the officer he would not be able to speak to his father. The officer also offers to facilitate a call to a family member and informs him that the funeral is scheduled for the following day.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned Delhi Police over allegedly denying him access to his phone and lawyers while he was in custody after being informed of his grandmother’s death. He said officers later asked him to sign arrest papers at 3.30 am, which he refused to do until he was allowed to speak to his lawyers. Dipke questioned the police’s conduct, asking where their humanity had gone at that hour despite knowing about his loss.

RJD MP Manoj Jha on Sunday alleged that CPI(M) MP John Brittas was assaulted by police during a protest in Delhi and had to be rushed to hospital. Jha said the incident occurred shortly after the Supreme Court issued directions on the treatment of peaceful protesters. He alleged that four people had throttled Brittas and criticised the police response to the gathering.

Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the opposition’s outreach to the judiciary was aimed at highlighting issues it believes are affecting the foundations of democracy. He said the initiative was not political in nature but an effort to present its concerns to a key constitutional institution.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) posted a message on X asking its supporters currently in Delhi to stay back, while saying that trains were running again for those outside the national capital. The post added that its “next call” was on the way.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said opposition parties, civil society members and youth would march to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India. The memorandum will demand an end to alleged “vote chori”, the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Supreme Court on Sunday said petitioners seeking contempt action against authorities over restrictions imposed during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in Delhi had made out a “prima facie” case.

The petitioners alleged that authorities had violated the court’s direction to ensure there was no complete prohibition on metro and train services in the national capital in view of the protests.

Congress leader TS Singh Deo said the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was ongoing, with Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, MPs and other party leaders continuing efforts to meet the Election Commission, the President and the Chief Justice of India.

Questioning the heavy security deployment, Singh Deo said protests were constitutionally protected and an accepted part of democratic politics. He asked why authorities were restricting demonstrations instead of shifting the venue if Jantar Mantar could not accommodate the expected turnout.

Singh Deo also questioned whether the extensive police deployment was prompted by the expectation of a large gathering, arguing that such a response raised questions about the issues prompting people to protest.

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut accused Rahul Gandhi of using provocative language to incite people and encourage illegal activities. Referring to the October 10 protest, she claimed it failed to draw crowds and said those who turned up were removed because the demonstration lacked permission.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav arrived in Delhi and accused the BJP-led government of protecting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of vote theft. He alleged that the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Delhi Police were working to shield the CEC, claiming people were becoming aware of alleged manipulation of the election process.

Trinamool Congress parliamentary leader Derek O’Brien on Sunday described the developments surrounding protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi as “ominous” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He cited reports of journalists being picked up by police outside the Press Club of India, calling them “dangerous signs” for the government.

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said the INDIA bloc's protest scheduled for Monday in Delhi was an expression of public sentiment, not a show of strength. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of undermining democratic institutions and said the opposition would protest peacefully, upholding the Constitution and the principles of non-violence.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday accused the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) of attempting to create “anarchy” through protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Defending the Delhi Police crackdown, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president said peaceful protests were welcome but authorities needed to take timely action against those involved in alleged mischief.

BJP MP Hemang Joshi criticised the Congress and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over their protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling their appeal to people to join demonstrations a sign of desperation. He dismissed allegations of leaders being kidnapped, accused the opposition of seeking public sympathy through viral videos and said its protest strategy had failed.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said his party would participate in every protest organised by the INDIA bloc. Arriving in Delhi with party MP Arvind Sawant, Raut said they would join Monday’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in line with the INDIA bloc’s plans.

Karnataka Congress president B K Hariprasad said the INDIA bloc would meet the Chief Justice of India during its protest march in Delhi on October 12. Reiterating the opposition’s demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Hariprasad said, “Gyanesh Kumar must go.”