Delhi witnessed widespread security measures on Saturday as police detained several high-profile opposition leaders and protesters during demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests were centered on concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Among those taken into custody were former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was detained in South Avenue, and Kerala’s Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Pinarayi Vijayan. Other prominent figures detained included former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and various Trinamool Congress and CPM leaders.
Separately, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) saw its plans for a 'Jantar Mantar 2.0' protest stall as key members were intercepted by police. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, alongside leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were taken into custody upon their arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport from Mumbai. Authorities reportedly carried out more than 1,500 detentions across the national capital throughout the day to manage the security situation, effectively preventing the anticipated turnout at the planned protest site.
The political atmosphere intensified as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp critique of the opposition. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra labeled the CJP demonstration a "flop show," accusing those involved of attempting to hold the capital hostage. Additionally, the BJP targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him a "nalayak neta" after he alleged electoral irregularities following an INDIA bloc delegation's meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. The BJP argued that Gandhi misrepresented the President's reception of their memorandum, accusing him of dragging a constitutional office into political controversy.
In unrelated developments on the international front, India issued a formal warning to Pakistan at the United Nations. Addressing the General Assembly’s first committee, Indian representatives stated that New Delhi would not yield to nuclear blackmail or political coercion, reaffirming that Jammu and Kashmir remains an integral part of India.
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