CJP Protest: Jean Drèze joins Jantar Mantar demonstration; Tushar Gandhi detained in Mumbai
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, October 10, 2026: Economist Jean Drèze joined the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)'s protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday, alleging that the heavy deployment of security personnel was preventing people from reaching the demonstration.
Speaking at the protest, Drèze said the government’s concern was not simply about violence or security threats but, in his view, the possibility that people would realise their voting rights were being taken away. The CJP has called the demonstration against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Meanwhile, police action and heightened security were reported in several parts of the country amid the protest.
Tushar Gandhi Detained in Mumbai
Mumbai Police detained Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, ahead of a planned protest in support of the CJP at August Kranti Maidan on Saturday evening.
Police also increased security at Shivaji Park in Mumbai’s Dadar area amid concerns that further demonstrations could take place there. The precautionary measures followed an earlier CJP-related protest in the city.
Sanjay Raut Alleges Restrictions on Protesters
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that several people intending to travel to Delhi for the demonstration had been prevented from reaching the capital. He claimed that trains had been stopped, people detained and Delhi’s borders sealed.
Raut maintained that the demonstration represented public opposition and said the authorities could not suppress people’s voices.
Sanjay Nishad Calls for Investigation
Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad, commenting on the protests and demands for resignations, said action should follow an investigation and the establishment of wrongdoing.
He also referred to the meeting between INDIA bloc MPs and President Droupadi Murmu, saying that authentic documents had been sought and that further action should depend on the findings of an inquiry.
CJP Leaders Taken from Airport
In a separate development, CJP national convener Abhijit Deepke and co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were taken from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to an undisclosed location, according to reports.
The leaders had reportedly been detained aboard an aircraft after it landed at the airport. Deepke was quoted as telling police to arrest him, while officers reportedly asked him to cooperate, saying the action was not an arrest.
The police had not publicly disclosed the leaders’ location in the information available at the time of reporting.
Stone-Pelting Near PTI Office
Separately, a confrontation was reported near the Press Trust of India (PTI) office in Delhi, where police attempted to detain a group of around 50 protesters. News24 reported that some protesters pelted stones at police personnel, injuring two officers, including a sub-inspector.
Police deployed additional personnel and detained more than 50 protesters, according to the reports.
The developments came as the CJP’s demonstration against the electoral-roll revision process drew political leaders, activists and public figures, while police maintained heightened security in Delhi and Mumbai.