# Protests against Indian Election Commission escalate > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20261003-protests-against-indian-election-commission > Updated: 2026-10-24T07:46:47.000Z. Sources: 71. Developments: 12. Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists have escalated in Delhi and Maharashtra. Demonstrators, including members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), student organizations, and the ‘Cockroach’ youth movement, demand the Commissioner’s resignation, alleging that the removal of millions of names from voter rolls is designed to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In Delhi, authorities have implemented Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prohibiting gatherings of five or more people. Following recommendations from a Ministry of Home Affairs committee, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a standing order de-notifying Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, relocating authorized demonstrations to Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground. Critics, including Congress leader Balmoor Venkat, have accused authorities of attempting to ‘suppress public voices’ and deprive citizens of their right to express grievances. Rahul Gandhi has also criticized the move, arguing that Jantar Mantar ‘belongs to the people.’ Recent escalations involving the Kakroch Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar led to the detention of over 2,000 individuals. On October 11, the Supreme Court of India intervened, issuing notices to the Central Government, Delhi Police, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, cautioning against the ‘illegal detention of peaceful protesters’. Legal discrepancies have since emerged regarding the de-notification of Jantar Mantar. In the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated the decision was driven by a Union Home Ministry committee report rather than a judicial order. However, the Delhi Police informed the Delhi High Court that the de-notification followed the October 9 directive. This discrepancy is notable as the October 9 order concerned the regulation of metro stations and transport services rather than protest venues. ## Claims - More than 30,000 police and security personnel were deployed across Delhi during the protests. (disputed by 3 sources) - Authorities deployed up to 60,000 police and paramilitary personnel in New Delhi. (disputed) - Reports indicate approximately 7,000 people were detained during the unrest. (disputed) - More than 2,000 people were detained during the protest on October 10. (disputed) - Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi are the new designated protest venues. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Delhi Police has de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The decision was based on recommendations from a Ministry of Home Affairs committee. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protested against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The INDIA bloc is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Opposition leaders and the INDIA bloc claim the de-notification is an attack on democracy. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-24: Supreme Court panel to hold hearings on Jantar Mantar protest violence A Supreme Court-appointed committee will hold hearings on October 29-30 to investigate alleged police excesses and violence during the July Jantar Mantar protests in New Delhi. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-panel-to-hold-hearings-on-jantar-mantar-protest-violence ### 2026-10-16: Delhi Police deploy massive security for upcoming protest march Delhi Police are deploying thousands of officers and expanded CCTV surveillance, including facial recognition, ahead of a planned march in New Delhi amid privacy concerns over protest monitoring. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/delhi-police-deploy-massive-security-for-upcoming-protest-march ### 2026-10-14: Congress leader criticizes BJP over Jantar Mantar protest de-notification Congress leader Balmoor Venkat criticized the BJP and Election Commission after Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a designated protest site in Delhi. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/congress-leader-criticizes-bjp-over-jantar-mantar-protest-de-notification ### 2026-10-14: Supreme Court reviews de-notification of Jantar Mantar as protest site The Supreme Court is reviewing a petition against the Delhi Police decision to de-notify Jantar Mantar as a protest site, replacing it with three alternative venues in Delhi. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-reviews-de-notification-of-jantar-mantar-as-protest-site ### 2026-10-13: Delhi traffic advisory issued ahead of protests against Election Commissioner Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory for October 13 due to expected traffic jams and diversions caused by protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/delhi-traffic-advisory-issued-ahead-of-protests-against-election-commissioner ### 2026-10-10: Delhi Police de-notifies Jantar Mantar as official protest site Delhi Police has removed Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, naming three alternatives amid intense opposition protests and legal challenges regarding electoral roll revisions. 58 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jhajjar-jaguars-kcl-approves-renaming-of-jind-jaguars-franchise ### 2026-10-10: Kapil Sibal criticizes detentions of protesters in Delhi Kapil Sibal has questioned the legality of detaining protesters at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging improper use of prohibitory orders. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kapil-sibal-criticizes-detentions-of-protesters-in-delhi ### 2026-10-09: New Delhi deploys 60,000 security personnel amid election reform protests New Delhi has deployed 60,000 security personnel amid protests by the Cockroach Janata Party demanding election reforms and the resignation of the Election Commission chief over voter list controversies. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-deploys-massive-police-presence-in-new-delhi-amid-election-protests ### 2026-10-07: Protests announced at Jantar Mantar over Election Commission controversy Student groups and political organizations have called for a major protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and electoral reforms. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/protests-announced-at-jantar-mantar-over-election-commission-controversy ### 2026-10-06: New Delhi security tightened at Jantar Mantar for opposition protest Security is heightened at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi as police deploy forces and implement Section 163 BNS to manage a proposed opposition protest. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-delhi-security-tightened-at-jantar-mantar-for-opposition-protest ### 2026-10-03: Protests planned for New Delhi and Maharashtra amid heavy security Protests against the Election Commission are set for October 4 in New Delhi and Maharashtra, leading to heavy police barricading, drone monitoring, and numerous political detentions. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/protests-planned-for-new-delhi-and-maharashtra-amid-heavy-security ### 2026-10-02: Delhi security tightened for Jantar Mantar protests Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are set for Jantar Mantar in Delhi, prompting heavy police deployment and road closures despite denied permits. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/delhi-security-tightened-for-jantar-mantar-protests --- Cite as: Protests against Indian Election Commission escalate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20261003-protests-against-indian-election-commission