Akhilesh warns BJP as ‘the nation unites in Delhi’

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday backed the Gen Z-led protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, which is demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.Akhilesh said the government’s attempts to restrict public dissent in the national capital ahead of the high-stakes demonstration would only prove to be a bigger mistake.In a post on X, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister asserted that young people would unite in Delhi despite any obstacles put up by the Centre.“It won’t stop for anyone’s obstruction. Now, the nation will unite in Delhi! We stand with the youthful energy of the nation. If the BJP government thinks it can halt the people through the might of power, this will prove to be an even greater mistake on its part. ‘Jantar-Mantar’ is no longer just a place’s name; it has become a symbol of a new consciousness and awakening. If the government stops the protesters, then Jantar-Mantar will spring up everywhere in the country,” he said.However, the Congress, an ally of the Samajwadi Party, is not joining the protest. Other opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Left parties, have extended their support to the Gen Z movement against Gyanesh Kumar and are expected to join the demonstration.

Massive security deployment ahead of ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’

Organised by the CJP, the ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ protest seeks accountability over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.The planned demonstration has prompted extensive security arrangements across Delhi, including movement restrictions, a temporary suspension of mobile internet services and detentions. Several student organisations and political groups are also expected to participate.Early on Saturday, a few protesters were detained near Janpath in the Connaught Place area.More than 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the national capital ahead of the protest. The Union home secretary has also directed states and Union Territories to ensure that law and order is maintained.

Mobile internet services will remain temporarily suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing from 10pm on Friday to 10pm on Saturday, following authorisation from the Union home secretary, according to an official order.The suspension comes amid heightened security preparations for the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10.

CJP’s earlier protest over NEET paper leak

The proposed demonstration follows a protest led by the CJP at Jantar Mantar in June-July this year. The earlier agitation demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union education minister over the NEET paper leak fiasco.