Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday declined a formal meeting request submitted by opposition leaders, including a petition brought forward by senior political figures. The office of the Chief Justice confirmed that the request had been turned down with reasons, and a formal communication was sent to the concerned parties. Meanwhile, central Delhi attempted to resume its weekend routine, though an atmosphere of caution and heavy security continued to overshadow normal life.
Cautious Return to Normalcy in Connaught Place
Connaught Place experienced a hesitant return of shoppers and diners on Sunday as markets slowly reopened following a day of sweeping closures. While metro services resumed and several commercial establishments unlocked their doors, the omnipresent barricades, police deployment, and transit buses patrolling the inner and outer circles served as stark reminders that agitations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar remained active across the national capital.
Protest organizers and political figures have continued to challenge the restrictions imposed by authorities. Leaders from various groups, including the Cockroach Janta Party, announced plans to formally approach the Parliament Street Police Station to secure official permission for a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Organizers stated that civil society groups and youth wings are determined to voice their grievances regarding electoral transparency regardless of administrative hurdles.
Supreme Court March and Political Outcry
Opposition leaders, including prominent parliamentarians and former state heads, have called for a collective march toward the Supreme Court to submit a detailed memorandum. Protesters and political figures alleged that law enforcement agencies used excessive force during recent demonstrations, resulting in widespread detentions and injuries among student activists and journalists. Leaders from multiple political factions criticized the administration for clamping down on fundamental rights of assembly.
The events in the national capital triggered solidarity demonstrations in other states as well. Student organizations and regional political parties staged rallies in cities like Kolkata and Mumbai, where participants gathered near prominent public spaces to demand accountability and express solidarity with those detained in Delhi. Heavy police presence and preventive detentions were reported at multiple protest sites, heightening political tensions surrounding the electoral watchdog.
