'Citizens Not Subjects,' Remind People as Delhi Police Club 'Banners, Placards' With Weapons in Curfew Notice
New Delhi: A Delhi Police missive on social media announcing a districtwide curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita on October 2, against the backdrop of a Jantar Mantar protest calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, has drawn outrage for its tone and content.
"Please read the notice, for better understanding," reads the 7.12 am tweet from the Delhi Police.
The notice says:
The following are prohibited without prior written permission:
• Public meetings or assembly of 5 or more persons
• Processions, demonstrations, picketing or dharnas
• Shouting of slogans or making of speeches
• Carrying of firearms, banners, placards, lathis, swords, sticks, brickbats or similar articles
The mention of "banners and placards" – both peaceful protest staples – among the list of weapons with obvious violent use has escaped few.
Delhi Police has the audacity to list banners and placards in the same category as firearms, swords and lathis. This shows just how threatened the state feels by banners and placards, treating them as weapons. https://t.co/BYVKKODtSw
— Joshi JI (@JoshiJi_) October 2, 2026
First in my bloodline to witness banners and placards alongside firearms, lathis, swords, sticks and brickbats...
Modi hai toh mumkin hai! https://t.co/Eps6ltdC5L— Akash Asha Dubey (@Un_Storyteller) October 2, 2026
"Citizens, visitors and all stakeholders are advised to strictly comply with the order and refrain from any unauthorised gathering or prohibited activity," the notice further says, warning of action "under Section 223 BNS, 2023 and other applicable provisions of law."
AISA president Neha Bora quote-tweeted the notice and wrote, "The Delhi Police is hereby compelled to follow the law of the land and not the diktats of the ruling regime," giving it a list of four things it is duty-bound to honour:
1. No lathi charge
2. No teargas shells
3. No pellet guns
4. No police personnel without name plates
5. No water canon
Delhi Police had famously used all three in the July protests at Jantar Mantar, injuring hundreds.
The AISA wrote: "Kindly remember who you serve & who will hold you accountable."
"Criminalising protest and dissent on Gandhi Jayanti. We have come a long way," journalist Rana Ayyub wrote in response.
Lawyer Vrinda Grover reminded police that people are "citizens not subjects."
I wonder when @DelhiPolice will be independent and obey the Constitution?
We are citizens not subjects. Our rights are not mortgaged to you that you can announce that our freedoms stand suspended on Gandhi Jayanti!
We don’t need police permission to hold peaceful protests to save democracy.
Delhi police you have been informed about the protests at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police stop behaving like a colonial force and implementing illegal orders of your political masters.
And of course let’s all including @DelhiPolice follow the teachings of Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti.
Lawyer Ashis Goel wrote, "Hi Delhi Police, this is unconstitutional."
This article went live on October second, two thousand twenty six, at twenty-three minutes past twelve at noon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
