Protests continued in New Delhi on October 14, 2026, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Two leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) were sent to five days of judicial custody in a case linked to Jantar Mantar, while more than 100 youth, workers’ and farmers’ organisations announced a nationwide movement beginning October 23.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who had initially been taken into preventive custody, were sent to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday, October 14, in a case linked to the Jantar Mantar area. They will be lodged in Tihar Jail.
Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the two leaders and others on various charges, including alleged violations of bonds relating to maintaining peace, criminal trespass and disobedience of orders.
Ajinkya Shinde, who was also taken into preventive custody in the case, was released on a personal bond. Details of the accused persons’ full responses and the subsequent hearing schedule were not available in the reported information.
The action comes amid a dispute over the status of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. According to the available information, Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of designated protest venues on October 12, 2026.
Delhi Police began detaining Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members protesting outside the Parliament Street Police Station on Wednesday afternoon. The demonstrators were demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and opposing the SIR process.
Traffic was affected after some protesters sat on the road. Police also announced the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the area.
Police asked journalists and media representatives to maintain a safe distance from the crowds of protesters and police personnel. Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were also present at the site.
Members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) staged a protest near Jantar Mantar, demanding the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
The demonstration centred on opposition to the SIR process and concerns over names being removed from electoral rolls.
The protesters demanded the withdrawal of the SIR process, Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and an audit of names deleted from voter lists.
The organisations said the deleted names should be reviewed. However, the available report did not provide figures on the number of names removed or independently verified data concerning the alleged irregularities.
Organisations opposing the SIR process held a meeting on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. According to social activist Tara Rao, the participants decided to establish a joint platform to expand the protest.
Rao criticised police action against protesters since July, describing it as harsh, and reiterated the demands for the termination of the SIR process and the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
Rajan Kshirsagar, a leader of the All India Kisan Sabha, said more than 100 youth, workers’ and farmers’ organisations participated in the meeting. According to him, these organisations will launch a nationwide movement from October 23, 2026.
The principal demands include the withdrawal of the SIR process, Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and an audit of names deleted from electoral rolls. The initiative aims to bring different organisations together on a common platform.
Amid the controversy, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the Congress fully respects the Chief Justice of India, the Supreme Court and the judicial system.
He also said political and public resistance would continue and would ultimately succeed.
Gandhi’s remarks came amid debate over the notification of designated protest sites, police action and the detention of CJP leaders. The Congress statement distinguished its respect for the judicial system from political opposition to decisions taken by the government or the Election Commission.
The removal of Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites has raised questions about alternative venues for demonstrations in Delhi.
According to officials, Ramlila Maidan, which is among the capital’s newly designated protest venues, has no vacant dates available for the next two and a half months. Only December 29, 30 and 31 were reported to be available for booking.
The lack of available dates could pose an organisational challenge for groups planning demonstrations in the coming days. The available information did not provide further details about the booking process or other potential venues.
The developments in Delhi centre on opposition to the SIR process, demands for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation and the availability of designated venues for demonstrations.
The judicial custody of the two CJP leaders and police action against protesters have also become subjects of political debate. Meanwhile, various organisations have announced a nationwide movement beginning October 23.
The scope of the planned movement, the administration’s response and the judicial proceedings in the Jantar Mantar case remain to be seen.
