AAP workers detained at Jantar Mantar amid SIR protest

AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj and several party workers were detained at Jantar Mantar on Friday as protesters gathered against the Election Commission and its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Bharadwaj, who reached the protest site despite police restrictions, said, “Protesting is our constitutional right.” 
The protest was held amid heightened security in central Delhi after police denied permission for the October 2 demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police had said no permission was granted for the gathering, while security was stepped up around Jantar Mantar and other parts of New Delhi. 

VIDEO | Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) says, "I was able to reach Jantar Mantar from my home without a car, without a scooter, without any vehicle...The nearby metro stations are closed, but you can get off at the stations that are open and, if you walk… pic.twitter.com/pLwM6IVBI4

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 2, 2026

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) also temporarily closed entry and exit at 11 stations in view of the security arrangements. The stations included Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi. Interchange facilities remained available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat. Police also deployed drones for surveillance around the Jantar Mantar area as activists, political leaders and civil society representatives gathered for the protest. Security personnel were deployed amid expectations of a large gathering, according to agency reports.
Members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) also staged a protest against the Election Commission and the SIR exercise at Jantar Mantar.During the protest, Bharadwaj said Arvind Kejriwal would try to reach Jantar Mantar despite police presence outside his residence. He made the remarks as police removed him and other protesters from the site.

VIDEO | Delhi: Don't be scared of police even if they use lathis; Kejriwal will try to come despite police presence outside his residence, says AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj as police removes him, other leaders and protesters from Jantar Mantar.#JantarMantar #DelhiNews

(Full… pic.twitter.com/69QDIAzs9z

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 2, 2026

NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule also joined the opposition voices at the protest. She said it was “deeply unfortunate we have to protest for everything” and said the opposition would continue to raise issues concerning alleged vote theft, democracy and safeguarding the Constitution.RJD MP Manoj Jha, who also joined the demonstration, questioned the need for permission to hold protests. “Do protests require permission?” he said, while participating in the Jantar Mantar protest against the Election Commission.
The October 2 demonstration was called by student groups, activists and opposition leaders over concerns surrounding the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR exercise. AISA, Manoj Jha and lawyer Prashant Bhushan were among those associated with the planned protest.