AISA chief Neha Bora being detained by the police during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, at Mandi House, in New Delhi, on Friday. PTI
Tiranga march LIVE: Dipke, Neha Bora detained; flash protests in New Delhi
CPJ, other youth activists join flag march in Delhi demanding rollback of SIR, resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Tricolours in hand and raising slogans of “Jai Hind”, hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and members of student organisations held a series of flash protests in central Delhi on Friday evening (October 16) after police denied permission for the party's “Lehra Do Tiranga” march at Connaught Place.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and AISA president Neha Bora were among the around 150 protesters detained by Delhi Police. The detentions drew sharp attacks from the opposition, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi backing the protesting students, while the BJP-led central government called the protest an attempt to bring about a regime change by "using" young people to spread "anarchy".
The protesters walked through the inner circle of Connaught Place, intermittently raising the slogan of 'Jai Hind' before dispersing and regrouping at different spots. Some also sang the national anthem.
Students and members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) protested at Mandi House, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and withdrawal of the 2023 Election Commissioner Appointment Act.
Minor altercations broke out between the protesters and police as the latter attempted to disperse the crowd.
Dipke and Bora were preventively detained by Delhi Police while on their way to participate in the protests, with the CJP leader headed to Connaught Place and the AISA chief to Mandi House.
While Dipke was picked up from his residence in Jhandewalan, Bora was detained at Mandi House. The detentions triggered scenes of jostling among crowds, camera crews, and security personnel.
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Live Updates
- 16 Oct 2026 1:58 PM IST
Kiran Rao backs Imran Khan after FRRO directs him to leave India
Filmmaker Kiran Rao came out in support of actor Imran Khan, who has been asked to leave the country by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai for participating in demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) served him a notice for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
"43 years old. 40 of those years in India. Studied here, worked here, succeeded here, failed here, loved here and fought here,” Rao, who is the ex-wife of Imran Khan's uncle Aamir Khan, wrote in her Instagram Story.
Police had briefly detained Khan, his partner Lekha Washington and cousin Zayn Marie Khan during the demonstration. The actor had shared a photograph from the police vehicle on social media and wrote, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
Speaking to reporters before his detention, the actor said, "I don’t have demands. I’m here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I’m here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted, why people’s voices are being suppressed.”
- 16 Oct 2026 1:48 PM IST
SC agrees to hear plea alleging Rahul pushed pregnant journalist during Oct 12 march
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear an application, which alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed a pregnant journalist during a march to the apex court on October 12.
The application was mentioned before a Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, which said it would be heard either on October 26 or October 27.
Senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, who mentioned the matter, said an application has been filed in a pending petition.
“A female journalist was manhandled on the court premises,” Bhatia said.
On Thursday, the top court heard a batch of pleas related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Delhi protests, the October 12 march to the apex court and alleged assault on journalists and lawyers.
The top court had directed that no coercive action be taken against a woman journalist, against whom a case has been filed by a Delhi Police officer alleging casteist remarks and public humiliation against him during a protest near the Jantar Mantar.
On Thursday, Bhatia urged the Bench to also consider the case of the pregnant journalist, who, he said, was allegedly pushed by Rahul Gandhi on the apex court premises during the October 12 march.
“A lady journalist was pushed by Rahul Gandhi in the Supreme Court precincts. She was three months pregnant and had to be hospitalised," Bhatia argued, adding that the apex court may take cognisance of the matter.
The Bench had asked Bhatia to file a petition in this regard, saying it would consider the issue.
- 16 Oct 2026 1:10 PM IST
Dipke says government shutdowns, not protests, hurt traders
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday defended the party’s proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place, arguing that government-imposed restrictions, rather than peaceful protests, hurt businesses.
“Businesses do not suffer because of peaceful protests. They suffer when the govt decides to shut down an entire city, suspend internet services and restrict the movement of its own citizens and turn the city into a war-zone,” Dipke wrote on X.
His remarks came after the New Delhi Traders Association urged political groups to shift demonstrations away from Connaught Place, citing losses and disruption to livelihoods over the past three weeks. The association also approached the Supreme Court over the planned march.
Dipke said the CJP followed Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence and maintained that questioning the government was a democratic right.
“Demanding answers from the govt is not anarchy, protesting against injustice on the streets is not anarchy, and questioning those who hold public office is certainly not anarchy,” he said.
He added: “A government that has been elected by the people is bound to listen to the people, not silence them.”
- 16 Oct 2026 1:01 PM IST
Rijiju calls Bhushan, critics ‘Dimagi Naxals’, warns of ‘traitors’
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday accused those he described as "dimagi Naxals" of opposing patriotic Indians, urging people not to forget what he called "traitors".
His remarks came a day after senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan spoke about "regime change" at a press conference in New Delhi.
"The battle line has been drawn. It is Dimagi Naxals Vs Patriotic Indians. Between those who believe in the Constitution of India Vs Anarchists," Rijiju wrote in a post on X.
In a separate post, the minister said, "Dear Patriotic Indians... Remember: Forgive your Enemies once, Friends twice, but never Traitors,".
Rijiju also shared two video clips of Bhushan, accompanied by the caption, "They want to separate Kashmir and North East from India and break India".
The senior BJP leader further posted a recent photograph of Bhushan with a Congress leader and others.
- 16 Oct 2026 12:58 PM IST
SC exempts Sanjay Raut, Nikhil Wagle from personal appearance
The Supreme Court has exempted Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle from appearing personally before it on the next date of hearing in a contempt case over their remarks concerning the Chief Justice of India.
- 16 Oct 2026 12:56 PM IST
SC issues contempt notices to Sanjay Raut, journalist Nikhil Wagle
SC issues notices on contempt plea of SCBA against Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle over comments on CJI.
- 16 Oct 2026 12:27 PM IST
‘Modi ji, your officials are confused’: Rahul Gandhi on Rubio visit
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Centre of lacking clarity on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming India visit, questioning the External Affairs Ministry’s understanding of the trip.
In a post on X, Rahul said, "Mr Rubio has summoned his employee to Mumbai. Modi ji, your officials in the External Affairs Ministry are confused about what's going on. You might want to explain. Unless, of course, you want me to."
Rubio is scheduled to visit India and Uzbekistan from October 17 to 22. In India, he will travel to Mumbai and Jamnagar and meet senior government officials to discuss strategic ties, regional and global developments, and energy cooperation. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to meet him in Mumbai.
US envoy Sergio Gor has described the visit as “a little more business-focused”, with trade, technology, energy and investment on the agenda. Rubio’s trip will be his second official visit to India this year.
- 16 Oct 2026 12:10 PM IST
Dilip Ghosh slams CJP’s Tiranga march during Durga Puja, Navratri
West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh on Friday accused the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) of disrupting Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations by planning a Tiranga march in Delhi, alleging that political protests during the festive period were creating tension.
"India is a religious country. According to its traditions, Navratri and Durga Puja are celebrated across the country. By holding political protests, they are disrupting people’s celebrations and spreading tension in the country. The public will hold them accountable," Ghosh said.
His remarks come amid a row over the CJP’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place, which seeks the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest was announced after the arrest of CJP leaders. The party has linked the arrests to its flag-waving campaign. Ahead of the march, Delhi Police deployed more than 6,000 personnel, alongside 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, and expanded CCTV surveillance in the New Delhi area.
- 16 Oct 2026 11:16 AM IST
Central Park shut down: SC refuses urgent hearing on plea against NDMC
The Supreme Court has refused an urgent hearing on a plea against the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) order shutting down Central Park over CJP's proposed Tiranga march protest in Delhi today.
- 16 Oct 2026 11:10 AM IST
Congress, allies seeking Bangladesh-like regime change: Rajnath
Union Minister Rajnath Singh lashed out at the Congress and its allies over the protests in the national capital, accusing them of seeking a regime change along the lines of Bangladesh and using the energy of youth to spread "anarchy".
Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, Rajnath Singh asserted that democracy does not give anyone the licence to create disorder or undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions. "It appears that the Congress and its political allies, directly and through their supporting organisations, are trying to use the energy of the youth to fuel political confrontation and spread anarchy instead of channelling it towards constructive work and nation-building," he said.
"The youth of the country are being made pawns in the politics of anarchy," he stated.
Singh alleged that the Congress and its allies want a change of government in India along the lines of Bangladesh. "They openly say at press conferences that they have drawn inspiration from Bangladesh for regime change, while another speaks openly about bringing down the government. This makes it clear that their only agenda is to dismantle democratic institutions and set the country on fire," he said, referring to the uprising in Bangladesh in 2024 that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government.
