Security arrangements in and around Jantar Mantar remained very strict in Delhi on Saturday. A demonstration was called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Before the event, there were expectations of a big political gathering and uproar, but as the day passed, the picture appeared different. Many prominent faces of the opposition did not reach the protest site and the police started stopping people trying to gather there on the way. The main objective of the administration's preparations was said to be to maintain law and order in the capital and to prevent the recurrence of a situation like the violent clashes that took place on July 20. However, the action of detaining the protesters has now become a subject of political and legal debate.
Large scale security arrangements in the capital
According to the report, more than 30 thousand Delhi Police personnel were deployed in Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas. Barricades were installed on many major roads and CCTV cameras and drones were used for surveillance. Police also stopped people who were trying to move towards the protest site carrying banners and posters. Some protesters reached Jantar Mantar, but their numbers remained limited. The administration took extra vigilance in sensitive areas of the capital, so that the situation could be controlled before the crowd increases or a confrontation occurs.
Absence of opposition leaders in discussion
The biggest discussion in political circles regarding this demonstration was about the major opposition leaders not arriving. According to the report, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not reach Jantar Mantar. Arvind Kejriwal also did not reach the protest site, while Rahul Gandhi left for Chennai from Delhi. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also said to go to Saifai instead of coming to Delhi. The absence of these leaders has raised questions about opposition unity. However, the absence of a leader cannot in itself be considered final proof of the failure of political strategy. For this, the stance and further activities of the parties concerned will also have to be seen.
Protestors were stopped on several major roads
Police kept strict vigil in areas around Jantar Mantar like Connaught Place, Sansad Marg, Rafi Marg, Ashok Road, Raisina Road and India Gate Circle. The report claims that some protesters started gathering at alternative places, but the police removed them from there too. Incidents of sloganeering were reported around Connaught Place and many people were detained and put in police vehicles. Information about stone pelting near Baba Kharag Singh Marg has also been mentioned. However, all the allegations and circumstances related to the incident will become clear only after independent verification of the investigation.
Trying to learn a lesson from the events of July 20
The experience of the uproar around Jantar Mantar on July 20 is also said to be important behind the strictness of the administration. Tension remained high that day after alleged stone pelting and police action. This time the police increased deployment on sensitive routes and kept the surveillance system strong. The strategy of the authorities was to prevent the crowd from gathering at one place and to take swift action on any untoward situation.
The custody case reached the Supreme Court
The matter of precautionary detention of opposition leaders and others during the protest has now reached the Supreme Court. A petition has been filed challenging this action and according to reports, a special bench will hear it on Sunday. In such a situation, the matter is not limited only to the success or failure of the performance. Now this question will also be important as to how justified the steps taken by the police to maintain public order were within the ambit of the law. The upcoming hearing may provide a clearer picture on the legal aspects of this dispute.