YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained by the Delhi Police at his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram, on Saturday morning, according to sources.
Rathee had reportedly come to Delhi to participate in the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to the information, Delhi Police personnel entered Rathee’s residence at 7:48 am after his mother opened the door. Around 50 police personnel had reportedly gathered outside the residence late Friday night.
The police took Rathee into custody from his family’s residence in Central Park Vihar, Sector 56, Gurugram, ahead of the proposed demonstration in the national capital.
Rathee Questions Security Measures
Dhruv Rathee on Friday accused the central government of placing Delhi under an “almost lockdown" ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10. The demonstration is being held to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In a video shared on Instagram, Rathee questioned the extensive security and transport restrictions introduced in the national capital ahead of the protest. These include the planned closure of metro stations, cancellation of trains and a temporary suspension of mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi.
“How are you, friends? I have arrived in Delhi. And I saw what arrangements our Prime Minister has made here. More than 50 metro stations have been shut down," Rathee said in the video.
“Trains have been shut down. Buses have been cancelled. And they are almost putting Delhi on lockdown because of our protests," he added.
Rathee also questioned the need for such extensive restrictions, pointing to what he described as claims by social media accounts associated with the BJP that the protest would draw a small crowd.
“On one hand, your IT cell people are saying that no one will come to our protest. If there is no crowd, then why are you doing all this if there is no crowd? I don’t understand," he said.
“I think you are actually scared. Actually, the entire country’s population is awake," Rathee added, urging people to attend the demonstration. “Friends, if you are watching this, do come to Jantar Mantar on 10th October," he had said.
Delhi Police Tightens Security Ahead Of Protest
The Delhi Police has introduced a series of security measures ahead of the protest, including the closure of markets and key Metro stations, cancellation of dozens of trains bound for the national capital, and internet restrictions in parts of the city.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all States and Union Territories (UTs) to coordinate with the Delhi Police and take measures to prevent protesters from travelling to Delhi.
Source: News18