National president among hundreds detained during protest against CEC at Connaught Place
New Delhi, Oct 13: Congress’ students’ wing National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) on Tuesday staged a flash protest at Rajiv Chowk metro station, demanding immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of electoral irregularities.
The protest was led by NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar, who was detained along with hundreds of activists, according to a statement issued by the student organisation.
A large police force was deployed in Connaught Place – located close to Jantar Mantar – as protesters gathered at Gate 7 of Rajiv Chowk metro station and raised slogans against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Jakhar said detention of student activists would not silence their demand for accountability from the Election Commission, alleging that authorities were using force to curb peaceful protests.
NSUI national media in-charge Ravi Hanuman Pandey condemned the detentions, saying the organisation’s movement against “vote chori” would only intensify until Kumar resigned.
The organisation said it would continue to raise concerns over electoral transparency and accountability through peaceful and democratic means.
Earlier in the day, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained after they reached Jantar Mantar despite heavy barricading and a strong security presence.
The development came a day after Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site.
NSUI calls dharna at police station
The NSUI on Tuesday called a dharna outside the Connaught Place police station, alleging Delhi Police personnel assaulted women members during the flash protest.
The organisation claimed several activists were detained during the protest and brought to Connaught Place police station, with some of them yet to be released.
A video circulated on social media purportedly shows a woman NSUI member being dragged by her hair by a female police officer, onto a bus in which protesters were being detained.
The NSUI, in a post on its official X handle, condemned the alleged treatment of its members, saying, “Don’t you feel even a shred of shame? Such inhuman treatment of students who are raising their voices for their rights and democracy!” It further asserted that “voices can be suppressed with batons and oppression, but not courage”. (PTI)