Delhi police detained more than 150 students on Wednesday during a protest at Jantar Mantar, a historic site often used for demonstrations. The students were demanding action against rising unemployment and alleged irregularities in public examinations. Authorities cited violation of protest permits and public order concerns as reasons for the detentions. The action came after the university administration of institutions like IIT Delhi and Delhi University advised students and faculty to avoid the protest site, citing safety risks.
Police also used CCTV-based facial recognition technology to monitor the crowd, a move that has raised privacy concerns. The detainees were released later in the evening after questioning, but the incident has sharpened the debate over protest rights in India.
The protest drew thousands of students from across the National Capital Region, who marched to Jantar Mantar despite warnings. The demonstration was largely peaceful, but police said a section of the crowd attempted to breach barricades. No injuries were reported.
Critics argue that the detentions and surveillance are disproportionate, while authorities maintain that the measures were necessary to prevent escalation. The universities' advisory was seen as an attempt to de-escalate tension, though some students felt it discouraged legitimate dissent.
Moving forward, student groups have vowed to continue protests, and political leaders have taken sides. The episode highlights the ongoing friction between the right to protest and state security measures in India.