Delhi on High Alert over October 10 Protest; 45 Trains Cancelled, Mobile Internet Suspended in Central Delhi
Delhi on high alert over the October 10 protest demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation has prompted heightened security, railway cancellations and a 24-hour mobile internet suspension in a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing. The Supreme Court has called for regulated transport services to minimise public inconvenience.
NEW DELHI- Security forces have been deployed across central Delhi and restrictions imposed on Metro access ahead of a protest called for October 10 at Jantar Mantar by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), student organisations and allied groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police has denied permission for the gathering. Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad said the application submitted by CJP co-convenor Saurav Das arrived at short notice and that the group had not adhered to conditions imposed during an earlier demonstration.
More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel, including Central Reserve Police Force companies, have been positioned in the area, with barricades erected around Jantar Mantar, Janpath and adjoining roads. Retail liquor shops across the city have been ordered closed on October 9 and 10.
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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation directed that entry and exit gates at 57 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk and Kashmere Gate, remain closed from 9 pm on October 9. The Supreme Court later directed that Metro services not be halted completely and that movement continue in a regulated manner, with arrangements publicised to limit inconvenience to commuters.
In a separate measure, mobile internet services have been ordered suspended for 24 hours within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing. The suspension will run from 10 pm on October 9 until 10 pm on October 10. The Union Home Ministry approved the measure, and the order covers all forms of mobile internet technology within the specified area.
Indian Railways has announced the cancellation of 45 Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10.
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According to a statement cited by The Indian Express, the decision was taken in view of intelligence inputs and traffic advisories warning of severe road congestion around the two railway stations during the protest period. The cancellations apply to trains scheduled to arrive during the specified window, rather than constituting a blanket cancellation of all railway services across Delhi.
The affected services include long-distance trains originating from different parts of the country. Eastern Railway has separately cancelled the 12301 Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express and the 12313 Sealdah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express scheduled to depart on October 9.
Supreme Court intervention: On Friday, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the government to ensure that Metro and other railway services were not completely halted. The court called for services to operate in a suitably regulated manner and asked authorities to publicise arrangements widely to prevent hardship to the public.
The court’s intervention focused on balancing public convenience and freedom of movement with the authorities’ stated security concerns.
The protest forms part of a campaign against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Organisers have sought Kumar’s resignation, a freeze on the revision exercise, restoration of the January 2025 voter list, an independent inquiry and changes to the process for appointing election commissioners. CJP has alleged that supporters travelling to Delhi have been detained; police have not confirmed the figure.
CJP co-convenor Saurav Das said the agitation would continue even if Kumar stepped down, stating that the demands extend beyond any single official.
All India Students’ Association national president Neha Bora, whose organisation is among those joining the call, has described the mobilisation as an effort to defend voting rights and said student groups would return to the streets.
Opposition INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have separately staged protests in recent days over the same issue. Gandhi has said the campaign will persist until Kumar resigns, characterising the dispute as one concerning the integrity of the electoral process.
The Election Commission and the government have rejected allegations of irregularities in the revision of rolls. Police have said the October 10 event lacks clearance and that measures are in place to maintain order.
