Brief
Two MPs detained as over 100 protesters march to Jantar Mantar
Security forces arrested two Communist Party of India (Marxist) MPs and dozens of student activists during a protest demanding the resignation of the chief election commissioner.
By Felo News Desk · Published
New Delhi security forces detained more than a hundred people on Wednesday, including two Communist Party of India (Marxist) MPs, as they marched toward Jantar Mantar to reclaim it as a protest site, New Indian Express reported.
The protesters, comprising members of the National Students’ Union of India, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), were stopped at police barricades on Ferozeshah Road. SFI national president Adarsh M Saji, central executive committee member Abhijeet, and DYFI central secretariat member Jaick C Thomas were among those taken into custody.
MPs V Sivadasan and A A Rahim of the CPM were also arrested, according to the SFI statement cited by the outlet. The marchers raised slogans for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for Jantar Mantar to be re‑designated as a public protest venue after its recent denotification.
In parallel, IYC members led by president Uday Bhanu Chib staged a separate rally outside Parliament Street police station, condemning what they called a "brutal police crackdown" on student agitators and displaying the Congress party’s Swaraj flag.
Security forces maintained a heavy presence throughout central Delhi, and traffic on roads adjoining Jantar Mantar returned to normal by evening, though police continued to patrol the area. The founder of the CJP, Abhijeet Dipke, announced a protest at Central Park in Connaught Place for the following day, while the Aam Aadmi Party cancelled a planned fast‑strike and scheduled a "Tiranga March" for Friday.
Key facts
- Over 100 people were detained in central Delhi on Oct 15, 2026. (newindianexpress.com)
- MPs V Sivadasan and A A Rahim of the CPM were among those arrested. (newindianexpress.com)
- Student groups SFI and DYFI led the march toward Jantar Mantar, demanding the CEC's resignation. (newindianexpress.com)
- IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib led a separate rally condemning the police crackdown. (newindianexpress.com)
- Security forces kept a heavy presence and traffic normalized by evening. (newindianexpress.com)
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com — originally reported as “Two MPs among 100 detained for protests”
