Internet services to be suspended from tonight in Central Delhi for 24 hours amid CJP’s October 10 Jantar Mantar protest call

Mobile internet services will remain suspended within a 4-km radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing in New Delhi from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10, a day on which the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called a protest at Jantar Mantar.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the temporary suspension of internet services, according to ANI. Instructions have been issued to suspend all forms of mobile internet technology in the area.

Also read: CJP protest: Namo Bharat stations at Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar in Delhi to remain closed till October 10


The protest call

The CJP has called a youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 to press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged "vote theft". The demand relates to alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the protest on October 2, after leading a massive demonstration at Mumbai's Shivaji Park. He warned of a "Jantar Mantar 2.0" if Kumar did not step down.

In a post on X later that night, Dipke said that if Kumar does not resign, party supporters from across the country will march to Jantar Mantar on October 10. He said that wherever Delhi Police stop them on the way will become their Jantar Mantar. He said the protest would be peaceful and would follow the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi.

Dipke also asked whether the government and Delhi Police would respect the right to peaceful protest or repeat what he called the brutality of July 20, PTI reported. Police had cracked down on protesters during the CJP's earlier agitation over the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar that day.

Delhi Police detained around 200 protesters near Jantar Mantar on October 3, the second consecutive day of such detentions. The protesters were demanding Kumar's resignation.

On October 6, Dipke alleged that the Chandrapur police in Maharashtra had served notices on CJP activists, asking them not to take part in the Jantar Mantar protest and questioning them about the source of their travel expenses.

Also read: CJP Delhi protest: From metro stations to liquor shops, what's open and what's closed in national capital on October 10?

On Friday, Dipke alleged that thousands of young people across the country had been detained ahead of the protest. He said he would land in Delhi on Saturday and march to Jantar Mantar.

Other restrictions in the capital

Delhi Police have asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to reduce train frequency and close entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on October 9, citing the proposed protests, according to a letter dated October 8. The DMRC confirmed the closures, citing security reasons.

Indian Railways has cancelled all Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10. The Namo Bharat stations at Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar will also remain closed till 10 pm on October 10.