Delhi on alert for CJP Tiranga march: 6,000 police, 220 CAPF companies deployed

Delhi stepped up security on Friday ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Central Park in Connaught Place, with more than 6,000 police personnel, 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and additional CCTV cameras deployed across key locations. Union defence minister Rajnath Singh separately accused the Congress and its allies of using young people to spread “anarchy” and seeking a change of government along the lines of Bangladesh.

The proposed march, scheduled for 5 pm, is the latest in a series of protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the revision of electoral rolls. The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), opposition groups and student organisations have held almost daily demonstrations this month.

The security arrangements cover Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations in Lutyens’ Delhi. Police have placed barricades at several points, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, ITO and Sansad Marg, while additional personnel have been mobilised from other districts.

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A senior police officer said 5,000 additional personnel had been reserved from other districts to strengthen the deployment. Thirty CAPF companies will be deployed during each shift, with three shifts planned through the day. The force could be increased if the situation demands, particularly if large crowds gather or the demonstration continues into the night.

“If the crowd swells during the night and we need more security, we will increase the strength to 60 companies in one shift,” the officer said.

More than 10 CCTV cameras have also been installed in and around Central Park and Rajiv Chowk to monitor the gathering and preserve footage in case of violations or other incidents.

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“Since there were hardly any cameras at Central Park and a large gathering of people is expected, we have installed new cameras,” the officer said.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has announced that Central Park will remain closed to the public on Friday and Saturday for “administrative reasons”. Delhi Police has said the march has not been granted permission.

Delhi Police PRO Neha Yadav said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which restrict mass gatherings, were already in force in Connaught Place and surrounding areas. Police have urged people not to join “such assemblies” and warned that action would be taken against those violating the orders or disturbing public peace.

“We are ready to grant permission to a select few protesters for a flag march at some other spot,” Yadav said, adding that an alternative arrangement would have to be made at a suitable location. Police have also said they could facilitate a select group to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem.

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The security plan accounts for the district’s multiple entry and exit points and the possibility of crowds spilling into adjoining market areas. Officers are working to manage the security cordon without unnecessarily disrupting commuters and commercial activity.

Market and trade associations in and around Connaught Place have submitted written requests seeking protection for their establishments, citing concerns about the impact of large gatherings on business. Traders have also petitioned the Supreme Court to prevent the protest, saying it “would cause severe loss”. They have sought compensation for losses suffered during a similar rally planned over the weekend that was foiled by a security crackdown.

The march was announced after CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to judicial custody for five days following their detention over a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 13. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke called Friday’s flag protest in support of the detained leaders.

CJP members, left-wing student groups, activists and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters are expected to join the demonstration.

Dispute over voter list revision

The protests centre on the revision of voter lists, which critics allege could exclude eligible voters and favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

More than 130 million voters were deleted during the revision, according to the information cited in the reports. The Election Commission has denied favouring any party and said voters who were wrongly deleted can re-enrol. The BJP has accused its rivals of undermining democracy by questioning legitimate electoral processes.

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The latest demonstrations erupted after The Indian Express reported that Kumar’s two deputies had raised concerns internally about changes to voter lists, registration procedures and digital systems.

The Cockroach movement has emerged as one of the biggest political challenges faced by Modi and the BJP during his 12 years in power. A weeks-long sit-in by its supporters earlier this year forced education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over exam paper leaks.

Rajnath Singh accuses opposition of promoting anarchy

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Singh accused the Congress and its allies of using youth-led protests to fuel political confrontation and undermine democratic institutions. He said democracy did not give anyone the licence to create disorder or damage the credibility of constitutional bodies.

“It appears that the Congress and its political allies, directly and through their supporting organisations, are trying to use the energy of the youth to fuel political confrontation and spread anarchy instead of channelling it towards constructive work and nation-building,” he said.

“The youth of the country are being made pawns in the politics of anarchy,” he stated.

Singh alleged that the Congress and its allies wanted a change of government in India along the lines of Bangladesh, referring to the 2024 uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government.

“They openly say at press conferences that they have drawn inspiration from Bangladesh for regime change, while another speaks openly about bringing down the government. This makes it clear that their only agenda is to dismantle democratic institutions and set the country on fire,” he said.

The defence minister argued that the use of terms such as “regime change” showed that the opposition campaign was not about electoral reforms or the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. His remarks came amid protests by opposition parties and civil society groups demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the revision process.

Opposition leaders have alleged that the exercise lacks transparency and could exclude eligible voters.

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Referring to the Supreme Court’s observations on Thursday, Singh said Gandhi and his allies needed to understand that democracy did not permit attempts to create anarchy, undermine constitutional institutions or obstruct India’s development.

“Respecting the law is also essential to maintaining law and order. India’s democratic institutions cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political self-interest,” he said.

Singh added that falsehoods, anger, attempts to malign institutions and political opportunism could not obstruct India’s development. He advised Gandhi to respect the people’s mandate and introspect on his political role instead of pursuing what he called “politics of destruction” in the name of protecting democracy.

“India’s future is everyone’s responsibility. We must choose the path of dialogue and nation-building, not confrontation,” Singh said.

(With inputs from agencies)