Protesters from Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru are travelling to Delhi for an October 10 gathering at Jantar Mantar, despite uncertainty over whether they will be allowed to reach the protest site and reports of people being detained and questioned. The participants told the Times of India that they want to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Among those who have reached the capital is an IT professional from Mumbai who previously attended a June-July protest in Delhi. He said he took unplanned leave from work for that mobilisation and received a warning letter after returning to Mumbai. He later resigned and is currently waiting to join another company, according to the report.
The Mumbai participant said he had returned to Delhi with a friend for the October 10 protest and was more concerned about the issue than his employment. “Voting is our basic right,” he said, adding that he was worried about what was happening. He also said he had seen reports of people being detained and questioned.
His account reflects the practical costs faced by participants travelling across state borders for a demonstration in the capital. The reported concerns include arranging leave, employment consequences, accommodation and the possibility of being stopped before reaching the designated protest venue.
A resident of Pune who works for a security supervision company was travelling to Delhi by road with friends for his first protest in the capital. He said the group was changing vehicles while travelling and remained uncertain about whether they would reach Delhi because of reports of detentions. “Whatever is happening feels wrong. We want to support the cause,” he said.
A youth from Bengaluru arrived in Delhi earlier in the week and was staying with a friend. He said he had wanted to attend the June-July protest but could not travel because of work commitments. He planned his latest journey earlier and came to the capital because he wanted to make his voice heard, although he remained unsure about how the October 10 mobilisation would unfold.
The movement of protesters from different cities places the planned gathering within a wider pattern of interstate participation in demonstrations in Delhi. For participants, the protest involves not only access to a public meeting site but also decisions about travel, accommodation, employment and the risk of detention. The report does not provide details of the number of people detained, the authority responsible for the reported detentions or any official response to the allegations.
The protesters are expected to seek Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Whether those travelling from outside Delhi are able to reach the venue and participate remains the immediate issue ahead of the gathering.
