Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the Election Commission of India of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to distort the people’s mandate in Jammu and Kashmir, citing the outcome of the delimitation exercise, and later criticised the suspension of mobile internet services in parts of Delhi ahead of a planned opposition protest.
“Kashmir model has been exported to Delhi. Welcome to the New Delhi, modelled on the New Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said in a post on his personal X handle, referring to the reported suspension of mobile internet services in parts of the national capital ahead of the October 10 demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Earlier in the day, Omar joined a delegation of INDIA bloc leaders that met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum alleging “vote chori” and electoral irregularities. The delegation sought the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for wider electoral reforms.
Questioning the rationale behind the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said seven Assembly constituencies had been added and the BJP had won six of them, alleging that the changes had worked to the party’s advantage.
“Why was delimitation carried out in our case (J&K)? Wasn’t it done solely to benefit the BJP? Seven seats were added. How many of those seven seats did the BJP win? Six. That tells you everything, doesn’t it?” he said.
The Chief Minister alleged that concerns over the Election Commission’s role had been raised during the delimitation exercise itself, adding that the same pattern was continuing.
His latest remarks on Delhi’s internet restrictions extend the criticism beyond the electoral process to the curbs imposed ahead of the planned protest. Authorities have cited security and public-order concerns for the restrictions.
Briefing reporters after the meeting with President Murmu, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said he was surprised that the President had not denied the opposition’s allegations of “vote chori”.
Gandhi said the President sought evidence of the alleged electoral wrongdoing and that the INDIA bloc would provide it when she was ready to receive the material. He claimed the President had neither denied nor questioned the allegations presented by the delegation.
His interpretation of the meeting does not independently establish the opposition’s charges.
Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had conspired to undermine Indian democracy. These remain allegations made by the opposition and have not been established as findings of electoral wrongdoing.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the delegation had also demanded a return to ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in future elections. He said the opposition would submit the evidence sought by the President.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the meeting as positive and said the INDIA bloc remained united.
The memorandum submitted to President Murmu sought Kumar’s removal over alleged electoral irregularities. The opposition also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and pressed for broader electoral reforms.
The delegation included Gandhi, Kharge, Banerjee, Omar Abdullah, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby, CPI general secretary D. Raja, RJD MP Manoj Jha and other INDIA bloc leaders.
Before meeting the President, opposition MPs attempted to march from Parliament House towards the Election Commission’s office, carrying a “Save Democracy” banner. Police stopped them at Vijay Chowk, where several leaders staged a sit-in before the delegation proceeded to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Earlier, INDIA bloc leaders had met at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan to discuss their strategy against the SIR exercise and press for Kumar’s removal.
Addressing the opposition MPs, Gandhi argued that the controversy went beyond the Chief Election Commissioner and called for the termination of the current government. He claimed sustained opposition pressure could bring down the government.
The INDIA bloc has announced plans for further rallies, protests and “Save Democracy” marches. On Thursday, opposition leaders staged a sit-in at Rajghat, accusing the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Chief Election Commissioner of conspiring to undermine the electoral process. They pledged to continue their agitation until Kumar resigned.
The opposition’s campaign has also intensified following a report by The Indian Express that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over the preceding 10 months, largely concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission maintained that differences of opinion and observations were a normal part of institutional deliberations. It asserted that its orders carried full legal sanction and followed established statutory procedures.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti also criticised the restrictions in Delhi, alleging that the treatment of protesters reflected practices seen in Jammu and Kashmir.
“What started in Kashmir is now engulfing India,” she said in a post on X.
She alleged that protests against the abrogation of Article 370 had been restricted in Jammu and Kashmir, while BJP events marking August 5, 2019, had been allowed to proceed with extensive arrangements.
4 J&K trains cancelled as Delhi tightens security for protest
Rajdhani among services affected; 57 Metro stations restrict entry and exit, mobile internet suspended around Jantar Mantar
Jammu: Passengers travelling from Jammu and Kashmir to the national capital are set to face disruption, with four trains from the Jammu railway division cancelled ahead of a proposed October 10 protest in Delhi, where authorities have announced sweeping security restrictions, including the closure of entry and exit gates at 57 Metro stations and a temporary suspension of mobile internet services around Jantar Mantar.
The cancellations, part of a Northern Railway decision affecting 48 trains bound for stations in the Delhi area, include the Jammu Tawi–New Delhi Rajdhani Express and three services originating from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
Railway authorities attributed the cancellations to anticipated severe road traffic congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations on Saturday. However, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has called the protest, alleged that the restrictions were intended to prevent people from reaching the capital.
The proposed demonstration is aimed at demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the initiation of criminal proceedings against him over allegations concerning electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The four cancelled services connecting Jammu and Kashmir with Delhi are the Jammu Tawi–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12426) and three trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and New Delhi—12446, 04082 and 22462.
The cancellations form part of a wider disruption affecting trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10.
The Jammu railway division has established help desks at railway stations and is disseminating information through public address systems to assist affected passengers. Travellers have been advised to check the latest train status through railway helpline 139 or the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) application before leaving for stations.
The disruption could affect passengers from Jammu, Katra and other parts of the region travelling to Delhi for work, education, medical appointments and onward journeys.
In Delhi, police have intensified security arrangements after denying permission for the CJP’s proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar, citing the short notice for the application and alleged violations of directions during an earlier protest.
Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said the application was submitted on October 7, just three days before the planned gathering, whereas applications were required to be submitted at least 10 days in advance.
According to police, around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel are being deployed as part of the security arrangements, with more than 120 companies of Central Armed Police Forces expected to be involved.
The New Delhi district has been divided into 20 security zones, each to be monitored by senior police officers, including a Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Police have also conducted mock drills at several locations and intensified checks at Delhi’s border points, railway stations, bus terminals, hotels, guest houses, lodges and other sensitive places. Surveillance has been stepped up at the airport and on approach roads, while additional monitoring is being carried out at transport hubs.
Authorities are seeking to prevent large groups from gathering at sensitive locations or moving towards areas where demonstrations have not been permitted.
Mobile internet services will remain suspended within a four-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar from 10 pm on October 9 until 10 pm on October 10, according to sources. The decision has been approved by the Union Home Ministry, they said, adding that internet services elsewhere in Delhi will remain unaffected.
The restrictions coincide with the proposed protest against Kumar, whom the CJP has accused of electoral irregularities, including alleged manipulation of voter lists under the SIR exercise. These allegations have not been established as findings of wrongdoing.
Entry and exit gates at 57 Delhi Metro stations are also scheduled to remain closed from 9 pm on Friday until further notice. The restrictions are set to continue on Saturday, although interchange facilities will remain available at the affected stations, except at New Delhi Metro station, according to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
Among the affected stations are Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Hauz Khas and INA.
Several stations in South-East Delhi, including Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Millia Islamia, Okhla Vihar and Kalindi Kunj, are also on the list, along with Lajpat Nagar, Ashram, Sarai Kale Khan-Nizamuddin, Welcome, Shahdara, Rithala, Rohini and Azadpur.
The Metro restrictions are expected to affect office-goers, students, shoppers and other commuters, particularly those travelling through central Delhi.
Liquor shops across the capital have also been ordered to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure. Police are monitoring social media activity linked to the proposed demonstration, with more than 200 content creators reportedly under scrutiny. Authorities are also checking accommodation facilities and increasing surveillance at city borders and bus terminals.
Police said security personnel would monitor developments throughout Saturday and respond to any incidents involving crowd build-up, traffic obstruction or attempts to breach barricades. Possible restrictions on vehicles entering New Delhi after 6 am are also being assessed, depending on the security situation.
The CJP has alleged that the cancellation of trains and the wider restrictions are intended to prevent supporters from reaching Delhi for the demonstration.
The organisation has held protests in Mumbai and Bengaluru over its demand for Kumar’s resignation and criminal proceedings against him. Its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, criticised the Centre over the restrictions, saying it should shut down the entire country if it was afraid of the youth.
The authorities, however, have cited anticipated congestion, public order and compliance with rules governing demonstrations as the reasons for the measures.
With railway services disrupted and transport restrictions affecting large parts of the capital, passengers from Jammu and Kashmir travelling to Delhi on Saturday have been advised to verify their train status and check official Metro advisories before starting their journeys.
