Delhi Tightens Security for CJP’s Tiranga March as Supreme Court Declines Urgent Hearing on Central Park Closure
New Delhi has stepped up security ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place, with thousands of police personnel and central security forces deployed across key locations. The development comes as the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a challenge to the closure of Central Park, the planned venue for the demonstration.
The march, called by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, was scheduled for Friday evening at Central Park in Connaught Place. The party said the demonstration was intended to show support for its leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to judicial custody after an incident at Jantar Mantar.
The proposed gathering has triggered concerns over public order, traffic movement and the impact on shops and businesses in one of Delhi’s busiest commercial districts.
Supreme Court Declines Immediate Intervention
On October 16, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined to take up urgently a petition challenging the New Delhi Municipal Council’s decision to close Central Park.
The petition raised concerns about the late announcement of the closure and its potential impact on traders and small businesses operating in Connaught Place.
The court emphasised that the livelihoods of small shopkeepers also mattered and expressed hope that those involved would act with restraint. Justice Bagchi observed that the right to protest, the ability of people to earn a living and the need to maintain law and order were interconnected issues.
The bench indicated that the matter could be listed on October 26 or 27. It also observed that the court could consider intervention if subsequent developments showed that the measures taken were disproportionate or caused business losses warranting judicial consideration.
The court’s refusal to grant an urgent hearing did not amount to a final ruling on the legality of the park closure or the merits of the wider dispute.
Central Park Closed for Two Days
The New Delhi Municipal Council announced that Central Park in Connaught Place would remain closed on October 16 and 17, citing administrative reasons amid preparations for the proposed gathering.
The decision followed concerns raised by local traders and street vendors, who feared that a large demonstration could disrupt commercial activity and affect their earnings.
Connaught Place is a major shopping, dining and business destination in the national capital. Large gatherings in the area can also affect traffic movement, access to nearby markets and operations around Rajiv Chowk Metro station.
Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court that it would take appropriate steps to regulate the proposed activity and maintain public order. On October 15, the High Court declined to order a blanket prohibition on the march after hearing concerns about its possible impact.
Police have urged people to avoid unauthorised gatherings and indicated that a limited symbolic programme involving the national flag and national anthem could be facilitated at a suitable location.
More Than 6,000 Police Personnel Deployed
Security arrangements were strengthened across Connaught Place and surrounding areas ahead of the planned march.
According to reports by Reuters and India Today, more than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel were deployed in and around the affected areas, while 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were also reported to be part of the security arrangements. An additional 5,000 personnel were kept on standby, according to India Today.
Security measures covered Central Park, Rajiv Chowk, nearby Metro stations, Palika Bazaar, Jantar Mantar and other sensitive locations. Barricades and additional surveillance arrangements were also reported.
The deployment was intended to manage crowd movement, prevent clashes and minimise disruption to public transport and businesses. The scale of the arrangements reflected the authorities’ concerns about the possibility of a large turnout.
The exact number of people who ultimately attended the proposed gathering, and whether the programme proceeded at the announced venue, required confirmation through subsequent official updates.
Why Is CJP Organising the March?
CJP called for the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ demonstration after two of its leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were sent to judicial custody following an incident at Jantar Mantar on October 13.
The site had been de-notified as a designated protest location. The two leaders were accused of entering the area and violating restrictions, according to reports. CJP supporters described their detention as unjust and announced the march in solidarity with them.
The party has also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The wider protest movement has raised allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions and voter-registration procedures.
Those allegations remain disputed. The Election Commission has maintained that eligible voters affected by revisions can follow the prescribed process to register or correct their details. Claims about the scale, intent or political effect of electoral changes should be distinguished from independently established findings.
The proposed demonstration therefore brings together several issues: the detention of CJP leaders, demands relating to the Election Commission, the use of public spaces for protests and the economic impact of demonstrations on nearby businesses.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus remains on maintaining public order, protecting residents and traders, and determining how the proposed demonstration can be handled within the applicable legal framework.
The Supreme Court is expected to consider the Central Park closure dispute at a later hearing, potentially on October 26 or 27. That hearing may address the legal concerns raised by the petitioner, depending on the court’s listing and subsequent directions.
For now, the authorities face the challenge of balancing the right to peaceful assembly with the need to protect public safety and prevent avoidable disruption in a busy commercial area.