New Delhi: Delhi Police has not granted permission for a protest called by student groups, civil society activists and opposition parties at Jantar Mantar over the functioning of the poll panel, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Describing the area as subject to restrictions on gatherings, police said no restrictions on the movement of the general public would be imposed. However, if protesters attempt to gather in large numbers or move towards other areas, some roads may be closed or traffic restrictions may be imposed. “We have sufficient force and deployment will be carried out as per the situation,” an officer said.Jantar Mantar became the site of the NEET protest in June, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party. The protest continued for nearly two months and ended after then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.Barricades have been placed on roads leading to Jantar Mantar and security has been stepped now.The call for a protest at Jantar Mantar at 11am Friday has been given by All India Students’ Association (AISA) along with civil society activists such as advocate Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, and legislators like RJD MP Manoj Jha.The organisers have demanded the impeachment of Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the conduct of the SIR and the handling of electoral rolls have raised concerns about citizens’ voting rights. The Election Commission has defended the electoral-roll revision process and its functioning.AAP has separately urged people to assemble at Jantar Mantar at noon on Oct 2.At the same time, the INDIA bloc has announced a week-long Save Democracy campaign beginning Oct 2, with district-level marches and demonstrations and a planned march by opposition MPs to the Election Commission on Oct 6.The Indian Youth Congress, meanwhile, will gather at the Election Commission office Friday to demand Kumar’s resignation. The protest is expected to begin at 1pm from the Youth Congress office and proceed towards Jantar Mantar.Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav said that the party will hold protests in two districts every day, starting Oct 3 onwards. The Cockroach Janata Party will also start a protest Friday at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
