IndiaPosted at: Oct 11 2026 7:19PM


Jantar Mantar protest: Brittas, student leaders detained on Day 2; SFI alleges police brutality

Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Oct 11(UNI) A protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar entered its second day on Sunday, with Delhi Police, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and paramilitary personnel detaining demonstrators attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar from Connaught Place and Rajiv Chowk amid allegations of police brutality and restrictions on peaceful assembly.
CPI(M) MP John Brittas was among those detained as protesters gathered in small groups across central Delhi, raising slogans against Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Brittas, who was also detained during Saturday's demonstration, was taken away by a heavy police contingent while addressing the press. The CPI(M) subsequently claimed on X that he had been injured and appeared distressed.
Protesters were heard shouting “Gyanesh Kumar isteefa do” (Gyanesh Kumar, resign) as security personnel moved in to stop them from proceeding towards the designated protest site. Videos showed some demonstrators being dragged towards police buses, while several detainees alleged that they had been manhandled.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which called the demonstration along with Left student organisations, accused the authorities of using extensive security arrangements and mass detentions to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. The agitation has drawn student activists and opposition leaders, with demonstrators vowing to continue their campaign despite repeated police action.
The Students' Federation of India (SFI) alleged that its All India president, Adarsh M Saji, Delhi state secretary Sooraj Elamon, Central Executive Committee member Abhijith Manilal and hundreds of other activists were attacked and detained while attempting to reach the protest site from Rajiv Chowk.
“In the video, you can see blood coming out of Adarsh’s forehead. These will not be forgotten. We will keep coming out on the streets. The protests will be multiplied in all corners of the country!” the SFI said in a statement.
The SFI further alleged that hundreds of activists had been detained at Surajmal Stadium in Nangloi and subjected to harassment inside cramped, cage-like police vehicles. It also claimed that some of its leaders were detained at Connaught Place, beaten and subsequently taken towards the Haryana border.
The All India Students' Association (AISA) also accused Delhi Police of using force against demonstrators, alleging that officers seized mobile phones and assaulted protesters inside detention vehicles.
“Delhi Police's grave illegality will be fought and exposed. We demand the violence on detainees to be stopped immediately,” AISA said in a statement.
The continuing police action prompted CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka to criticise the security arrangements, alleging that the authorities had fortified central Delhi to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar, a designated protest venue.
“Result - There are now 50 different Jantar Mantars in and around Central Delhi,” Ranka posted on X, sarcastically congratulating Delhi Police for what he described as another failure to contain the agitation.
The confrontation follows Saturday's extensive security operation, during which CJP activists Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ranka were detained. Several opposition leaders, including AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Kerala leader Pinarayi Vijayan and former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar, were also detained while attempting to join the protest.
The security arrangements remained tight on Sunday, with police and paramilitary personnel deployed across key locations to prevent demonstrators from assembling at Jantar Mantar. Protesters, however, continued to gather in smaller groups at different points in central Delhi.
Amid the escalating dispute, the Supreme Court reportedly held a special hearing on Sunday concerning the restrictions imposed around the demonstrations. According to the account of the proceedings provided, the court directed the Delhi government to remove boards announcing prohibitory orders under Section 163 outside the court premises and restrained Delhi Police from making further illegal detentions.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police registered 20 FIRs in connection with Saturday's demonstration, officials said. The cases include alleged assault on police personnel and obstruction of public servants in the discharge of their duties.
One FIR registered at Kamla Market police station led to the arrest of four men claiming links to the right-wing Hindu Raksha Dal. They were allegedly involved in assaulting students and manhandling women during the protest, officials said.
The CJP and the student organisations have maintained that their agitation is aimed at securing accountability over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision process and have reiterated their demand for Kumar's resignation. The police have cited the absence of permission for the proposed demonstration and the need to maintain law and order as grounds for their action.
UNI PWS RSA
Tags: #Jantar Mantar protest: Brittas# student leaders detained on Day 2; SFI alleges police brutality
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