Security was significantly tightened around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Friday amid a proposed protest against the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls. A large number of police and security personnel have been deployed in and around the protest site. Delhi Police has said that permission was not granted for the proposed demonstration. Despite the restrictions, political workers, student groups and civil society representatives began reaching the area.

AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj and party leader Sanjeev Jha were detained after reaching Jantar Mantar. Before his detention, Bharadwaj appealed to people to participate peacefully and questioned the restrictions imposed around the protest site. He also spoke about the security arrangements and restrictions affecting access to Jantar Mantar. 

The protest is linked to the ongoing controversy surrounding the SIR of electoral rolls. Groups participating in the mobilisation have raised questions about the functioning of the Election Commission and changes made to electoral rolls. Some organisations have also raised demands concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the electoral-roll revision process is being conducted according to the prescribed procedure. 

Authorities have imposed restrictions in the New Delhi district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, or BNSS. According to police, unauthorised gatherings, demonstrations, marches, dharnas and similar activities are not permitted under the restrictions. Police have appealed to people to follow the law and cooperate with the authorities. 

The security arrangements have also affected Delhi Metro operations. Entry and exit facilities at 11 metro stations have been closed until further notice. The stations include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi. Interchange facilities remain available at some key stations. 

Interchange facilities remain available at stations including Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat. This means passengers may still be able to change between metro lines at designated stations, although normal entry and exit facilities remain restricted. Commuters travelling through central Delhi have therefore been advised to plan their journeys accordingly. 

Barricades have also been installed on major roads and at sensitive locations around Jantar Mantar. Police and other security personnel have been positioned at strategic points to regulate movement and prevent unauthorised gatherings. Additional arrangements have been made to deal with any increase in the number of people near the protest site. 

The proposed demonstration has brought together people associated with student organisations, political groups and civil society. Different groups have raised different demands, but the central issue remains the controversy surrounding SIR and electoral rolls. Some organisations have called for action against the Election Commission and have raised demands concerning the Chief Election Commissioner.

Security personnel, including police and Rapid Action Force personnel, have been deployed around Jantar Mantar. Riot-control equipment has also been positioned in the area. The administration has said that these arrangements have been made to maintain law and order and prevent unauthorised gatherings from creating a situation requiring further intervention. 

The developments at Jantar Mantar are taking place against the wider backdrop of the SIR controversy. The Election Commission has separately announced a special drive to identify eligible voters who may have been left out of the electoral rolls during the revision process. The exercise involves comparing electoral records, conducting verification and facilitating registration of eligible voters.

The restrictions around Jantar Mantar have also affected public movement in central Delhi. Commuters travelling towards the protest area are having to take into account the closure of entry and exit facilities at several metro stations as well as restrictions and diversions on some roads.

For now, security deployment around Jantar Mantar remains in place. Police have indicated that arrangements may be changed depending on the situation. Attention remains on developments at the protest site, the response of participating organisations and the Election Commission's further actions regarding the SIR proces