New Delhi, October 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Congress on Saturday criticised security restrictions imposed in Central Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, accusing the BJP-led Union government of curbing fundamental rights and suppressing dissent.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders Shashi Tharoor and P. Chidambaram raised concerns over reported detentions, restrictions on movement and disruptions to public transport and internet services amid the planned demonstration demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In a post on X, Kharge alleged that young people, students, lawyers, journalists, social activists, farmers’ union leaders and digital content creators questioning the government were being detained.
“Modi Govt has turned the ‘Mother of Democracy’ into a ‘Muzzled Democracy’,” Kharge said.
He added that detentions, arrests and the use of force would not deter people from raising their concerns. Kharge said the Congress, alongside the united Opposition, would continue to defend democracy, the Constitution and the fundamental rights of citizens.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also criticised the security arrangements in the national Capital, citing checkpoints, concrete barriers, spike strips and the deployment of large numbers of police and paramilitary personnel.
Tharoor said he had returned to Delhi after 2 a.m. and had rarely witnessed restrictions of such scale in the city. He referred to reports of train cancellations, Metro station closures and young people being detained from their homes and streets in and around Delhi.
He alleged that the measures were intended to prevent citizens from peacefully questioning the integrity of elections. Tharoor also expressed concern over reports of internet services being suspended in parts of the Capital.
“Freedom of movement stands completely shackled. Jantar Mantar was designated precisely so that citizens could voice dissent in the centre of Delhi, and today even the roads leading to it have been declared out of bounds,” he said.
Questioning the deployment of security personnel, Tharoor also asked why similar urgency was not demonstrated when women in the national Capital needed protection. He demanded the release of those detained and questioned whether authorities would impose similar restrictions if protesters returned on October 12.
“Our GenZ deserves better than an undeclared Emer-GenZ,” he said, arguing that a government confident in the fairness of elections should respond to questions rather than impose restrictions.
Tharoor added that barricades would not restore public confidence in the Election Commission and urged the Union government to provide answers instead of using force against protesters.
“The strength of a democracy is measured by how it treats those who question its working, and by that measure, what we have seen today is utterly shameful and unconscionable,” he said.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram also criticised the restrictions, alleging that the BJP was going to extraordinary lengths to protect Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He said the closure of Metro stations, deployment of police personnel from other states, reported internet shutdowns and restrictions on peaceful demonstrations had disrupted the lives of ordinary citizens.
“The youth are protesting; their minds are protesting; their hearts are protesting; their families are supporting them. And they are the voters in the next election,” Chidambaram said.
He added that the BJP would eventually realise that suppressing dissent and denying fundamental rights was not the way to win or retain power.
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