'Our Gen Z deserves better than Emer-Gen Z': Tharoor slams crackdown on protesters

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday criticised the heavy security deployment across Delhi in the wake of Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest against the Election Commission, describing the arrangements as “war-like” and questioning the restrictions imposed on citizens seeking to demonstrate peacefully.

In a post, Tharoor said he had returned to the national capital after 2am and had “rarely seen anything like” the situation unfolding in Delhi, citing checkpoints, concrete barriers, spike strips, the deployment of 22,000 police and paramilitary personnel, cancellation of 250 trains and closure of 45 metro stations. He also referred to reports of young people being detained from their homes and streets in and around Delhi.

Tharoor criticised the suspension of internet services in central Delhi, calling it the “most regressive (as well as repressive)” measure. He said freedom of movement had been “completely shackled” and pointed out that Jantar Mantar had been designated as a place where citizens could voice dissent in the heart of the capital.

“One is entitled to ask where this extraordinary manpower and urgency disappear when women in our capital need protection,” he said. Questioning what would happen if protesters returned on Monday, Tharoor said those detained would have to be released. “Our GenZ deserves better than an undeclared Emer-GenZ,” he added.

Tharoor argued that a government confident in the fairness of elections should welcome questions about the electoral process rather than respond with heavy security measures. “The government should provide answers, not lathis; expression, not repression,” he said. He also said barricades would not restore public faith in the Election Commission and urged the poll body to answer questions raised by citizens. Calling the situation “utterly shameful and unconscionable”, Tharoor said a democracy’s strength was measured by how it treated those who questioned its functioning.

Several demonstrators were detained by Delhi Police after gathering at Jantar Mantar amid extensive barricading and heightened security. The CJP had called for a protest over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Police had denied permission for the demonstration, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.