Protesters climb barricades, confront police in march against Gyanesh; 120 detained
Protests against India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar intensified in New Delhi, resulting in 120 detentions. Demonstrators clashed with police as they attempted to march toward Jantar Mantar, citing concerns over electoral processes.
Why it matters
The unrest reflects significant political tension regarding the integrity of electoral institutions and the right to protest in India.
NEW DELHI: Minutes before the march was set to begin, police loudspeakers at India Gate were already telling people to leave. Buses stood ready to carry away detainees, and a heavy deployment guarded the proposed starting point.Within the next few hours, the gathering shifted to Ashoka Road, where hundreds of protesters pushed barricades into the path of a riot-control vehicle, climbed barriers and vehicles, and confronted police trying to block them from Jantar Mantar. Sunday, the third consecutive day of protests against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saw nearly 120 detentions.At 2.50 pm, police were in force at India Gate. They asked media personnel to keep their identity cards visible. The announcements came a day after three women covering the protests alleged sexual harassment by police personnel.A little after 3 pm, members of AAP and its student wing, ASAP, arrived with other protesters.
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