NEW DELHI – YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained by Delhi Police on Saturday ahead of a planned protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student groups at Jantar Mantar.
Rathee was reportedly detained from his residence in Gurugram’s Sector 56 while he was preparing to travel to Delhi for the demonstration, according to police sources cited by The Indian Express and other Indian media.
The detention came as Delhi witnessed extensive security preparations aimed at preventing large-scale mobilization around the protest site.
Why Was Dhruv Rathee Detained?
Rathee was detained ahead of the CJP’s planned demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protesters are demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected allegations surrounding the voter-list changes. The Election Commission has said the deletions included entries involving people who had relocated, could not be traced or had died, and that people wrongly removed could enroll again.
The CJP and other groups have continued to challenge the process and called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
CJP Protest Planned at Jantar Mantar
The CJP planned to hold the protest on October 10, with support from student and opposition groups.
Delhi Police had not granted permission for the demonstration. Police cited procedural requirements, public safety concerns and the possibility of overcrowding and disruption.
Authorities also imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in areas linked to the planned mobilization.
Despite the restrictions, organizers said they intended to proceed with the demonstration.
More Than 1,000 People Detained
The Dhruv Rathee detention came amid a wider preventive detention operation across Delhi.
At least 1,000 people were detained overnight ahead of the protest, according to The Indian Express. Police said the detentions were preventive and targeted people suspected of mobilizing protesters.
Around 250 detainees were reportedly picked up in southeast Delhi, particularly around Shaheen Bagh and Jamia Nagar.
More than 100 others were detained in Shahdara and East Delhi, according to police officials cited by the newspaper.
Other reports also said people were detained at railway stations, bus stops and near the airport.
CJP Leaders Also Detained
Rathee was not the only prominent figure detained ahead of the protest.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and senior leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained after arriving in Delhi from Mumbai, according to the party.
CJP legal head Ratna Singh and policy division head Mehr Pasricha were also reportedly detained.
The party condemned the detentions and called for the immediate release of its leaders and other protesters.
Delhi Police did not immediately comment on all of the reported detentions.
Delhi Under Heavy Security
The capital was placed under an extensive security operation ahead of the planned demonstration.
More than 30,000 security personnel were expected to be deployed across Delhi, while police established checkpoints and barricades at several locations.
Police also planned more than 37 blocking points across the New Delhi district.
Temporary detention facilities were prepared across the city’s districts as authorities sought to prevent large groups from reaching Jantar Mantar.
Security was also strengthened along Delhi’s borders with neighboring Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
Metro and Rail Services Affected
The security measures also affected public transport.
Entry and exit gates at 45 Delhi Metro stations were closed from Friday night until Saturday evening, according to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s reported restrictions.
Several railway services were also affected.
Indian Railways cancelled 45 Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4am and 2pm on Saturday.
Police also increased security at major railway stations and used drones for surveillance.
Mobile Internet Suspended in Central Delhi
Authorities also ordered a temporary suspension of mobile internet services around the central Delhi protest area.
Services were suspended for 24 hours within a four-kilometer radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing, according to reports citing the government order.
The restrictions covered areas around Jantar Mantar, Janpath and other sensitive locations.
Traffic diversions were also planned at multiple points across the capital.
What Is the CJP Protest About?
The demonstration is focused on India’s electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision process.
The CJP and other groups allege that voter-list changes could affect electoral participation and have demanded accountability from the Election Commission.
The Election Commission has rejected the allegations.
According to data cited by Reuters, about 130 million voter entries were flagged during the verification exercise. The Election Commission said the figure included people who had relocated, could not be traced or were deceased.
The dispute has become a wider political issue, with opposition groups questioning the impact of the voter-list revision while the BJP has rejected the allegations.
Dhruv Rathee’s Role in the Protest
Rathee had publicly indicated his intention to attend the demonstration.
His detention therefore became one of the most prominent developments surrounding the protest.
The YouTuber has a large online following and is known for political commentary on his digital platforms.
His detention, along with those of CJP leaders and other protesters, has drawn further attention to the planned demonstration and the authorities’ security measures.
Delhi Protest Faces Tight Restrictions
The planned CJP demonstration comes after several protests and political gatherings over the voter-list controversy.
Authorities have said their restrictions are intended to maintain public order and prevent disruption.
Organizers, meanwhile, have continued to argue that they have a right to demonstrate.
The competing positions have made the October 10 protest a closely watched political event.
With Dhruv Rathee detained, more than 1,000 people reportedly held overnight and major transport restrictions imposed, the situation in Delhi remains tense as authorities seek to control access to Jantar Mantar.
Key Points:
- YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained ahead of the CJP protest in Delhi.
- He was reportedly detained from his residence in Gurugram’s Sector 56.
- The CJP planned a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10.
- Protesters are demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
- The demonstration centers on alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revisions.
- The Election Commission and BJP have rejected the allegations.
- At least 1,000 people were reportedly detained overnight across Delhi.
- CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were also detained.
- More than 30,000 security personnel were expected to be deployed.
- Entry and exit gates at 45 Metro stations were closed.
- Several railway services were cancelled or affected.
- Mobile internet was suspended in parts of central Delhi.
- Police had not granted permission for the planned protest.
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