Mobile Internet Suspended at Jantar Mantar Ahead of Anti-CEC...
Mobile internet services were suspended near New Delhi's Jantar Mantar and Section 163 BNSS was imposed ahead of planned demonstrations against Chief...
By GT24x7 Reporter··GlobalToday24x7
Internet Suspended and Section 163 Imposed Across Central Delhi
Authorities in New Delhi have temporarily suspended mobile internet services within a 1.5-kilometer radius of Jantar Mantar following orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to prevent potential law and order disruptions. The preventive measure was instituted ahead of scheduled demonstrations targeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. In addition to telecommunication curbs, the Delhi Police enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the entire New Delhi district, strictly banning unauthorized public assemblies, marches, and political gatherings.
Heavy security contingents, including units of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Delhi Police personnel, were deployed to fortify the protest site and adjacent arterial roads. Law enforcement agencies deployed aerial drone surveillance to monitor pedestrian movement and prevent large crowds from assembling. Police officials confirmed that formal permission for the demonstration had been denied due to intelligence inputs regarding potential public order risks, prompting multi-layered barricading across key corridors leading to Connaught Place and Central Secretariat.
Detention of AAP Leaders and Opposition Backlash
Despite the imposing security presence and prohibitory mandates, political activists and opposition leaders attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar on Thursday morning. Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by Delhi Police personnel alongside several party workers as they approached the protest venue. Bharadwaj and other party members were escorted into police buses and relocated to designated police facilities to enforce the order against public gatherings.
The police action sparked swift condemnation from opposition figures and political groups participating in the agitation. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke issued a public statement criticizing the administrative curbs and warning that suppressing peaceful political demonstrations could trigger widespread public unrest across the country. Opposition coalitions have been demanding the resignation or impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and expressing concerns over electoral process integrity.
Metro Closures and Traffic Restrictions Impact Commuters
To regulate public movement towards the demonstration site, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily restricted access at 11 key metro stations across Central Delhi. Entry and exit gates were closed at prominent transit hubs, including Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Delhi Gate, and New Delhi station. However, transit authorities maintained interchange facilities at major junction stations, allowing passengers to switch lines while restricting access to street level in the restricted zones.
Simultaneously, Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories detailing extensive diversions across major thoroughfares in the capital. Traffic movement was restricted along roads connecting Parliament Street, Ashoka Road, Tolstoy Marg, and Janpath, leading to congestion during peak morning hours. Commuters were advised to utilize alternative routes as police maintained checkpoints to verify vehicles entering the New Delhi security precinct.
Escalating Political Tug-of-War Over Electoral Integrity
The Jantar Mantar protest represents the latest flashpoint in an escalating political dispute between opposition alliances and the Election Commission of India (ECI). Opposition parties, civil society organizations, and student groups including the All India Students' Association (AISA) have raised concerns over voter list revisions, alleging the deletion of eligible voters and questioning electoral procedures.