Bollywood figures have criticised the detention of protesters and journalists in New Delhi as authorities mounted a major security operation around a planned CJP demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

The protest was called against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of voter lists. Protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revised electoral rolls.

CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained along with hundreds of protesters and journalists who were trying to gather in Central Delhi. The detentions became the focus of public criticism from several people in the film and entertainment industries.

Actors and filmmakers respond

Actor and activist Prakash Raj shared a cartoon by Satish Acharya on X and questioned how long authorities could avoid citizens' protests. In a separate video, he questioned the detention of Abhijeet, Sourav and Ashutosh while they were travelling by flight. He said preventing them from reaching the protest site had not silenced public criticism and described the dispute as a prolonged fight over democracy.

A day earlier, Raj had also ed about reports of train cancellations and the heavy police presence. In that video, he referred to a dialogue from his film Singham, in which he played the character Jaikant Shikre, while addressing the public.

Director Anurag Kashyap praised the protesters in an Instagram on Saturday. In another , he urged users to follow AISA president Neha Bora during a live broadcast. Bora had begun a protest with hundreds of people at Delhi Haat before she was also detained.

Editor and filmmaker Apurva Asrani drew attention to the detention of Abhijeet Dipke, Ratna Singh and Dhruv Rathee on 10 October. He described the action as a sign of dictatorship and wrote that democracy was ending.

Singer Vishal Dadlani also criticised the operation in an Instagram video. He claimed that 23 battalions had been called in and that trains and metro services had been cancelled, leaving the city disrupted. His comments also questioned the extent of the system's response to the protest.

Filmmaker Shirish Kunder, Farah Khan's husband, asked how long authorities could remain secure if they had to use force against their own people. In another , he said public mockery, including by children, showed that people were no longer afraid.

Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane shared several Instagram Stories condemning the detention of protesters. Actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub ed a Hindi translation of a poem by German theatre artist and playwright Bertolt Brecht in support of the demonstrators.

Comedian Vir Das responded by sharing a screenshot explaining the Streisand Effect. The concept refers to attempts to suppress information drawing further attention to it.

Security measures in New Delhi

More than 40,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed in New Delhi to prevent the demonstrations, according to the report. The operation included the detention of opposition leaders, journalists, CJP members and protesters.

Those named among the detainees included Ratna Singh, M A Baby, Pinarayi Vijayan and John Brittas. The protest venue, Jantar Mantar, had already been sealed by Delhi Police, while barricades were placed on roads leading to the site.

Loudspeakers at three main entry and exit points issued warnings in Hindi and English. The announcements referred to Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and prohibited gathering in groups, processions, road blockades and other restricted activities.

The competing positions are clear. Protesters say they are challenging alleged problems in the revised voter lists and seeking the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation. Authorities responded with restrictions, barricades, detentions and a large security deployment, while entertainment figures publicly challenged the response.

Conclusion

The CJP protest over alleged SIR irregularities led to detentions, extensive security measures and criticism from prominent entertainment figures. Jantar Mantar remained sealed, while authorities enforced restrictions on gatherings and movement in New Delhi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why was the CJP protest organised?

The protest was called against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. Protesters were demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the revised rolls.

Q. Who was detained?

CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained along with protesters and journalists. The report also names Ratna Singh, M A Baby, Pinarayi Vijayan and John Brittas among those detained.

Q. Which entertainment figures criticised the action?

Prakash Raj, Anurag Kashyap, Apurva Asrani, Vishal Dadlani, Shirish Kunder, Vikramaditya Motwane, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Vir Das responded to the detentions or security measures.

Q. What happened at Jantar Mantar?

Delhi Police sealed Jantar Mantar and placed barricades on roads leading to the protest venue. Loudspeakers at three main entry and exit points announced restrictions on gatherings and other activities.

Q. How many security personnel were deployed?

More than 40,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed in New Delhi.

Q. What restrictions were announced?

Warnings referred to Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. They prohibited gatherings, processions, road blockades and other restricted activities.