AISA activists return to Jantar Mantar a day after mass detentions

New Delhi: A day after more than 1,000 protesters, including political leaders and student activists, were detained during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar , AISA activists began gathering near Jantar Mantar on Saturday amid heavy police barricading and heightened security in the area.

The fresh mobilisation came after AISA national president Neha Bora, who was among those detained on Friday, called on activists to return to Jantar Mantar at 1 pm and continue their protest demanding Kumar's resignation and raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Police began detaining people as they gathered near the protest site, with security personnel deployed at multiple points and barricades placed on roads leading towards Jantar Mantar.

AISA holds Freedom Park protest against SIR, demands halt resignation of Gyanesh Kumar

The development comes a day after the Delhi Police detained more than 1,000 protesters from Jantar Mantar and nearby areas during demonstrations involving AISA, SFI, NSUI, AAP and other political and student groups.

AISA's Neha, AAP leaders and activist Yogendra Yadav were among those detained.

On Friday evening, Bora said in a video message that the protest would continue and urged activists to return to Jantar Mantar. She said the detentions would not intimidate protesters and called for continued mobilisation in support of the demand for Kumar's resignation.

The protesters are opposing the SIR exercise and alleging irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Delhi Police had denied permission for Friday's gathering and imposed heightened security measures in central Delhi. Several roads were barricaded and entry and exit at a number of Metro stations in the vicinity of Jantar Mantar were temporarily restricted during Friday's protest.

The second day's mobilisation is expected to see continued police deployment around Jantar Mantar as AISA and other groups press ahead with their protest.

The demonstration comes days after The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on record at least 14 times over the last 10 months to decisions and orders on the SIR that they said were issued without their knowledge or recommendation.

Under fire over the red flags raised by two of its commissioners over the SIR process, the EC has asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution and that all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.