New Delhi, Oct 10 Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has expressed concern over the detention of protesters during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. He alleged that an undeclared emergency-like situation has arisen in the world’s largest democracy. Wangchuk said that if those detained are not released by Sunday, he will be forced to consider a hunger strike or a march.
Wangchuk posted on the social media platform X on Saturday, appealing for solidarity and peace in support of the protesters. He said that when he posted a message on Friday, he had no idea that so many leaders would be arrested during the protest.
He wrote in his post, “India is in a state of undeclared emergency. Yesterday, when I posted a message appealing for unity and peace during today’s protests, I never imagined that the world’s largest democracy would be in a state of undeclared emergency.”
Wangchuk said he was happy that many leaders were present to lead the movement, but now he has learned that all of them have been arrested. He expressed hope that the detained leaders would be released soon.
He further said that if the protesters are not released by Sunday, they will have to consider starting a hunger strike or a march.
Earlier, Delhi Police reported detaining around 3,500 protesters during the protests on Saturday. According to a police statement, around 3,500 people were detained while going to join the protests in different areas of the national capital.
The protest was organized under the leadership of the CJP (Chief Election Commissioner) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters were protesting alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the electoral roll.
In view of the protest, security was tightened in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Security was also increased at Delhi’s borders. Police took several steps to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar.
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways cancelled several trains to and from New Delhi and rescheduled others. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) also closed the entry and exit gates of 45 metro stations for security reasons.
On Friday, the police stated that the CJP’s protest was not permitted. According to the police, the organizers had not followed the assurances and legal instructions given during the previous protest.
On Saturday, CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka were detained at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The three leaders were on their way to Jantar Mantar to protest demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities in the SIR process.
In addition, social media influencer Dhruv Rathee was also reportedly detained at his Gurugram residence. According to a post on the CJP’s X account, around 50 plainclothes police officers arrived at Dhruv Rathee’s residence around 8 a.m. on Saturday and took him into preventive custody.
