'Gandhi Ji Would Be Proud': Voices from the New Delhi October 2 Protest
On Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, over a thousand citizens who had gathered for a peaceful protest against Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission’s vote chori were chased down, roughly detained, herded into buses and whisked away to locations unknown.
Concerned citizens were subjected to brute force on the very day India commemorates the peace and non-violence of Gandhi.
The irony was hard to miss.
The Delhi police, it is learnt, have deployed around 4,000 police personnel, along with additional companies of central forces like the CRPF and the RAF, while 11 Metro stations in and around Connaught Place have been shut.
AISA’s Neha Bora, activist Yogendra Yadav, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, and AAP’s Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjay Singh, were amongst those detained. Not even RJD member of the Rajya Sabha, Manoj Jha, was spared.
All India Students' Association (AISA) National President Neha Bora being detained during a protest carried out by political parties and members of AISA, SFI, NSUI and other student bodies against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Photo: PTI.
The government, it seems, has understood the power of citizens standing together. That is why anyone found standing even in twos or threes in Connaught Place or around Jantar Mantar was quickly picked up and taken away, including curious bystanders and even auto rickshaw drivers.
All access points to the Jantar Mantar protest have been blocked by multiple layers of barricading and as journalists and protestors gathered at Janpath, a deployment of baton and shield wielding RAF personnel along with tear gas vehicles blocked their access to Tolstoy Marg. Around 10:30 am, the police started making menacing announcements, telling those gathered there to “clear the road or you might get hurt.”
Aanchal, a government policy researcher from Rajasthan who had come specially to attend the protest said:
“We are here to save our Constitutional right to vote, which this fascist government is bent on taking away from us. We are here to take that right back. Look at the irony. Gandhi brought us to the point of independence and freedom, but today, our country does not look free from any angle. Women, Adivasis, Dalits, voters – everyone’s freedom is in danger. If we don’t have the freedom to vote, then how are we even free?"
A poster showing Gyanesh Kumar, discarded in a bush today in New Delhi. Photo: Sravasti Dasgupta.
I ask her the question that I am often asked (and invariably by those who never attend public protests):
“But what hope do we have against a government that has everything – the police, the media, and the government institutions – in its control?”
Aanchal answers:
“They may have everything at their disposal but we have the people and the will of the people on our side. We have the voice of the common people. This is an on-ground movement and is being led by the marginalized. They cannot suppress it!”
I ask her what Gandhi would feel about what is happening today.
“I think the Gandhi ji would be very proud of us.”
I am heartened to see the number of independent YouTubers and independent journalists present. The organised media may have capitulated to the government but citizen journalism is alive and kicking.
I speak to a couple of young people who run their own indie media channels.
Mohammed Kaif, who is studying journalism says he has come here today because it is mostly Muslim voters that the SIR is removing from the voter rolls.
He says:
“When we went to the BLO of our area to protest, we were actually roughed up because we belong to the Muslim faith! Why is that? This country belongs to all of us, does it not? Didn’t Gandhi ji say "Ishwar Allah tere naam," so why the discrimination? Also, the police will give you permission to protest but when you actually show up to protest you will be met with barricades, tear gas and lathis! If we have come here to raise our voices peacefully, then why do they have shields and lathis in their hands?”
Vidisha, similarly, says:
“I find it incredible that on the very day we celebrate the man who nourished us in the ways of non-violence, we are being subjected to this kind of violence. Students and the opposition simply want to protest peacefully against vote chori but look at the water cannons and the tear gas cannons that are ready to fire on them. Why is the government trying so hard to protect Gyanesh Kumar?”
Ritik, a UP Civil Services student is appalled at the disunity and lack of transparency in the EC. He is also appalled at the Modi government’s claims of international greatness.
“In which universe is India a vishwaguru? So many places don’t have basic drinking water! We have plummeted in the press freedom rankings. If you are truly a vishwaguru then why are you hiding so many things and fudging data? You say one thing and do another. People are angry here today! The cops aren’t even allowing anyone near Jantar Mantar. Me and my friends barely managed to escape the cops’ batons.”
A student who did not want to share her name says:
“Are they even constitutionally allowed to do this? This kind of violence on Gandhi Jayanti is crazy. To those who voted for this government I just have this to say — They are attacking us today; they will attack you tomorrow!”
Another young YouTuber tells me:
“The police have really stepped up their presence this time. With so many barricades, such a massive deployment along with complete internet shutdown, it is difficult to get to get everyone together in one place. I used the cafes’ wi-fi connections last time (at the time of the CJP protest) because they used to shut down mobile data in this area, but this time they have caught on and even shut down the wi-fi connections in the cafes, so there is no connectivity here. The police are constantly making announcements and telling everyone to be alert and aware about terrorist activity! We aren’t terrorists! We are citizens asking for a very basic right – the right to vote!”
As an afterthought she tells me:
“Actually, if Gandhi ji was around today, he too would have been fighting against this government as well.”
Meanwhile, despite the police’s aggressive and heavy handed response, the crowds in Connaught Place continue to grow.
Rohit Kumar is an educator. He can be reached at letsempathize@gmail.com.
This article went live on October second, two thousand twenty six, at four minutes past four in the afternoon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
