Dhruv Rathee Detained From Gurugram Residence Ahead of Jantar Mantar Protest

Gurugram: YouTuber and activist Dhruv Rathee was detained by Delhi Police from his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram, on Saturday morning, hours before the major protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, according to reports. Official confirmation from Delhi Police is still awaited.

According to the reports, around 50 police personnel had gathered outside Rathee’s home since Friday night. Officers entered the house at about 7.48 am, reports suggest.

Meanwhile, CJP has shared through their X handle that Dhruv Rathee has been detained. "The Dictator is TERRIFIED of young people who question its wrongdoings and refuse to stay silent!," CJP shared in their post.

Rathee had reportedly planned to take part in the demonstration, which demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The reported detention comes amid an extensive security operation in the capital. Delhi Police had deployed more than 35,000 personnel, closed dozens of metro stations and said they would detain anyone attempting to protest, after refusing permission for the event. Detainees were being taken to designated centres across the city.

Media personnel have been removed from Jantar Mantar. Restrictions have been imposed on online taxi apps and other taxi services. Hotels have reportedly been instructed not to provide rooms to people suspected of participating in the protest. Printing posters and banners related to the agitation has also been prohibited. Markets including Connaught Place, Bhagirath Palace and Chandni Chowk have been shut down.

Police have allegedly threatened people during visits to mosques, hostels and paying guest accommodations. Left-wing student activists are being followed by shadow police.

SFI activists from Maharashtra were reportedly stopped while travelling by train in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, and detained at a resort owned by a BJP leader.

The Jabalpur Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered that those arrested be produced before a court. Among those detained are Abhishek, an SFI leader from Bijror; Saleel, the Sultanpur district president; and 18-year-old Arjun Sharma, who exposed alleged irregularities in CBSE's on-screen evaluation system.

In Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, the father of SFI leader Sahith was reportedly detained. In Madhya Pradesh, police allegedly assaulted the 10-year-old son of a CJP volunteer.

CJP national spokesperson Deepak Baliyan, who suffered serious leg injuries, was allegedly brutally assaulted by Rajasthan Police and abandoned around 100 kilometres from his home.

The CJP has accused authorities of detaining and intimidating its members and supporters ahead of the gathering, while police have described their measures as necessary to maintain law and order. The party’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, had earlier said he would not withdraw from the protest even if he were detained or arrested.