New Delhi, October 10 (Daily Kiran) : Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has voiced serious concerns regarding the detention of protesters during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi. He accused authorities of creating a situation akin to an undeclared emergency in the world’s largest democracy. Wangchuk warned that if the detained individuals are not released by Sunday, he may be compelled to initiate a hunger strike or a march.
In a post on social media platform X, Wangchuk called for unity and peace in support of the protesters. He expressed surprise at the large number of leaders arrested during the demonstration, stating he had not anticipated such a crackdown when he shared his message on Friday.
“India is in a state of undeclared emergency. When I posted a message appealing for unity and peace for today’s protest, I never imagined that the world’s largest democracy would find itself in such a situation,” Wangchuk wrote.
While he acknowledged the presence of several leaders to lead the movement, he later learned that all of them had been taken into custody. He expressed hope that they would be released soon.
Wangchuk reiterated that if the protesters remain detained beyond Sunday, he would have no choice but to consider a hunger strike or a march.
Earlier, Delhi police reported that around 3,500 protesters were detained during the demonstration. According to a police statement, individuals were apprehended in various locations across the national capital as they attempted to participate in the protest.
The demonstration was organized by the Cockroach People’s Party (CJP) to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process of the electoral rolls.
In response to the protests, security measures were heightened throughout Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Police took steps to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar, a traditional site for demonstrations.
Additionally, Indian Railways canceled several trains arriving in New Delhi and adjusted the schedules of others. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) also closed the entry and exit gates of 45 metro stations for security reasons.
Authorities had previously stated that the CJP’s protest was not authorized, citing that the organizers had failed to adhere to assurances and legal guidelines from prior demonstrations.
On Saturday, CJP leaders Abhijit Dipke, Sourav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka were detained at Indira Gandhi International Airport as they aimed to protest at Jantar Mantar over the alleged irregularities in the SIR process.
Moreover, social media influencer Dhruv Rathi was also reportedly taken into custody from his residence in Gurugram. According to posts on the CJP’s account on X, approximately 50 plainclothes officers arrived at Rathi’s home around 8 a.m. on Saturday morning to detain him as a precaution.
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