Gurugram: YouTuber and political commentator Dhruv Rathee was detained from his home in Gurugram on Saturday morning ahead of a planned protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. He was released late at night, bringing an end to a day that saw heightened security and several preventive detentions in the national capital.
Rathee was preparing to join a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which was demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. Delhi Police had not granted permission for the proposed gathering, citing security concerns and procedural issues.
The detention took place as police moved to prevent the planned demonstration from going ahead. Rathee was taken into custody from his Gurugram residence on Saturday morning. His release was confirmed by a police officer later that night.
The development quickly drew attention from the CJP and its supporters, who demanded Rathee’s immediate release. The party also raised concerns over the detention of other people associated with the planned protest.
Why Was the Protest Planned?
The demonstration was organised to raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a process that has become a point of political disagreement. Protest organisers have questioned aspects of the exercise and called for accountability from the Election Commission.
The demand for Kumar’s resignation was at the centre of the proposed gathering. However, the allegations raised by the protesters remain contested and should not be treated as established findings of wrongdoing.
Rathee had announced his intention to participate in the demonstration through a video posted on his X account on Friday evening. He had also attended a CJP protest in Bengaluru on October 8, according to details reported about his recent activities.
Security Tightened Across Delhi
Delhi Police increased security arrangements ahead of the planned gathering at Jantar Mantar. Barricades and movement restrictions were put in place as authorities attempted to prevent the demonstration from taking place without permission.
Rathee was not the only person detained during the police action. Opposition leaders, activists and student groups were also among those reportedly taken into custody as police moved to control the situation.
The detentions triggered criticism from protest supporters, who argued that people should be allowed to raise concerns about electoral processes peacefully.
Rathee’s release late Saturday night ended his detention, but the larger dispute over the electoral roll revision and the proposed demonstration remains unresolved.
The incident has once again brought attention to the debate over the right to peaceful protest and the restrictions authorities can impose to maintain public order. Further developments are likely to depend on the response from the police and the organisers next course of action.
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