NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro shut entry and exit at six stations in India’s capital on Monday for security reasons. Congress planned a Supreme Court march over disputed voter-list revisions.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) scheduled the restrictions from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm Indian Standard Time on October 12.
The affected stations are:
- Janpath
- Mandi House
- Barakhamba Road
- Central Secretariat
- Rajiv Chowk
- Patel Chowk
Passengers can still use interchange facilities at the affected stations. DMRC said security agencies would review the situation, and it would share further updates.
Delhi Police imposed traffic restrictions and diversions on more than 20 stretches of road.
Congress announced the march to submit a memorandum demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and an end to alleged electoral theft. Party leader Rahul Gandhi invited young people, opposition parties and civil society groups to participate in a post on X.
However, a Congress source told Reuters that Chief Justice Surya Kant declined the delegation’s meeting request by email. Kant advised Gandhi and his colleagues to pursue judicial proceedings because the court was already hearing the issue.
Opposition parties and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) youth movement have demonstrated almost daily this month. They accuse the voter-list revision exercise of favouring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Election Commission of India data puts deletions during the verification exercise at about 130 million names. The exercise began last year and includes records of people who died, relocated or could not be traced.
Opposition parties allege that the deletions disproportionately affect Muslim voters and other minorities. Both the commission and BJP reject that allegation.
Read: India Detains Over 2,000 Delhi Protesters, Official Says
The commission denies favouring any party and says eligible voters removed incorrectly can register again. BJP accuses its rivals of undermining democracy by challenging legitimate electoral procedures.
Over the weekend, police detained thousands of protesters, including CJP leaders, while security personnel blocked attempted marches through central Delhi.
CJP has threatened another protest call if police do not provide a demonstration date within 24 hours of its request. Its leaders plan to meet Delhi Police to seek permission for a peaceful protest.
