Security has been tightened around Delhi’s Jantar Mantar ahead of a protest announced by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) for October 10, although Delhi Police has not yet granted permission for the gathering. The move follows concerns about possible clashes and an ongoing investigation into violence during an earlier CJP protest on July 20.
CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka claimed in a post on X that groups described by him as right-wing extremist organisations had been mobilised from across the country to attack peaceful protesters. Ranka said the CJP’s demonstration would remain peaceful and that its members would not raise their hands, but added that violence against people would not be tolerated.
Ranka also addressed Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the post, saying that the matter would not remain limited to Delhi Police. The report did not include a response from the Union Home Ministry or clarify whether police had confirmed the allegation about the mobilisation of outside groups.
The proposed protest comes as Delhi Police continues to assess security requirements around the designated protest zone. According to a Times of India report cited by Live Hindustan, the police has asked station house officers to monitor around 2,800 people identified through a facial-recognition system, with particular attention to those who have criminal records.
The station house officers have also reportedly been instructed to determine whether any person with a criminal record identified through the system is moving towards New Delhi district. The report did not specify the legal basis, operational duration or safeguards governing the use of the facial-recognition system in this monitoring exercise.
The security measures also follow violence reported during a CJP protest on July 20. According to a Press Trust of India report cited by Live Hindustan, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has registered a case to investigate who was behind that violence. The investigation is expected to focus on identifying people allegedly responsible and examining whether the incident was the result of a pre-planned conspiracy, the report said.
The October 10 gathering therefore remains subject to two separate developments: a final decision on permission from Delhi Police and the security assessment being conducted ahead of the proposed event. The police response, including any decision on the protest request and further instructions to local officers, will determine how the gathering is managed at Jantar Mantar.
