Delhi Police personnel deployed at Jantar Mantar during recent protests were seen without name tags, with officials saying the measure was intended to prevent individual officers from being identified and targeted on social media.
The development comes amid heightened tensions surrounding protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to officials, the decision to allow several junior personnel to remove their name tags followed incidents in which police officers involved in crowd-control operations were identified and targeted on social media.
Police Cite Social Media Targeting Concerns
Officials said police personnel involved in crowd management during an earlier Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) march on July 20 faced online targeting after photographs and videos of the operation circulated on social media.
Some officers reportedly complained that not only they but also their families were being targeted through social media posts, memes and other online content.
While several junior police personnel were deployed without name tags, most Indian Police Service officers continued to wear theirs. Officials said the measure was intended specifically to protect personnel from individual targeting while they carried out crowd-control duties.
The decision has nevertheless drawn criticism amid allegations of excessive use of force during earlier protests.
Saurav Das Alleges Plans to Arrest CJP Leaders
Against this backdrop, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das has alleged that the government is planning to arrest him and several other party leaders ahead of the group’s proposed October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar.
Das named CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Ratna Singh among those he claimed could face arrest. However, he did not provide evidence or specific details to substantiate the allegation.
In a social media post, Das said the alleged arrests would not stop the planned mobilisation and called on supporters to continue participating in the movement.
The allegation has not been independently established, and there was no immediate confirmation from the government that such arrests were being planned.
CJP Plans October 10 Protest
The CJP has announced a major protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar does not resign.
The party’s demand is linked to its allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The CJP has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the process, while the Election Commission has rejected allegations surrounding its decision-making.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had earlier called on supporters from across the country to travel to Delhi for the proposed demonstration.
The party has said that the protest will focus on electoral rights and what it describes as concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.
Protests Follow Earlier Detentions
The planned October 10 demonstration comes after a series of protests and detentions in Delhi and Mumbai.
During recent demonstrations in Delhi, police detained protesters amid restrictions on gatherings in parts of New Delhi. The situation has remained tense following allegations of excessive force and complaints concerning the treatment of protesters and journalists.
Delhi Police have maintained that action was taken in accordance with restrictions imposed on public gatherings and to manage situations where protesters allegedly violated police directions.
The competing claims have added to tensions between the CJP and the authorities.
SIR Controversy at the Centre of Protest
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has emerged as the central issue behind the CJP’s campaign.
The party has demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the electoral roll revision process could affect eligible voters. The Election Commission has defended the process and rejected allegations that its decisions were taken improperly.
The dispute has subsequently expanded beyond the electoral-roll issue, with protests focusing on questions of accountability, police conduct and the right to peaceful assembly.
What Lies Ahead of October 10
With the CJP preparing for its proposed October 10 demonstration, security arrangements around central Delhi are expected to remain closely watched.
Saurav Das’s allegation of planned arrests has added another layer to an already tense political situation. However, the claim remains an allegation and has not been supported by publicly presented evidence.
The controversy over police identification, meanwhile, highlights the growing tension between crowd-control requirements and concerns over accountability during protests. The events surrounding the October 10 demonstration are likely to determine the next phase of the confrontation between the CJP and authorities.