Why Are Delhi Liquor Shops Closed on October 9 and 10?
All retail liquor vends in Delhi will stay closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure for 'public order' ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's Jantar Mantar protest seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
All liquor shops in Delhi will remain closed for two days, October 9 and 10, as a preventive measure ahead of the protest planned by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The Delhi government said the closure was ordered to maintain 'public order', and the shutdown comes as the capital braces for CJP's 'Delhi Chalo' march, with security tightened across the city and thousands of additional central forces being deployed.
What The Excise Department Order Says
The order from Delhi's department of excise, entertainment and luxury tax said the decision was taken after inputs from Delhi Police. 'In view of the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police, as a preventive measure aimed at maintaining public order, it is hereby ordered that all retail liquor vends with licenses in Form L6, L6 & L6FG, L8, L10 and L8 & L14 operating in Delhi will be completely closed on 09.10.2026 and 10.10.2026,' it said. CJP Protest Violence: Delhi Crime Branch Examines Premeditated Attack, Role of 2,873 Suspects Under Scanner.
Why Is CJP Protesting?
The youth-led CJP is holding a series of protests across the country over alleged discrepancies by the poll body in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. After a protest in Mumbai, the party has called for
a 'Delhi Chalo' protest starting October 10, with a demonstration planned at Jantar Mantar.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have also widened their agitation over the demand for Kumar's resignation. The All India Students' Association (AISA), Left parties and several civil society groups began protests on October 2. The Congress and opposition parliamentarians have been demonstrating at different locations in the city over the past two days. CJP Announces Jantar Mantar Protest on October 10 if CEC Gyanesh Kumar Does Not Resign.
Security Beefed Up In The Capital
Around 11,000 additional personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are being deployed in Delhi for the next few days. With this, the total number of central force personnel in the city will rise to around 26,000, among the highest such deployments in Delhi since the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.
Delhi Police has said no permission has been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar, and has appealed to people to avoid joining any unauthorised gathering, news agency PTI reported.
Police Step Up Preventive Measures
Station house officers (SHOs) have been directed to monitor people with criminal antecedents and track buses headed towards the New Delhi district. They have also been asked to engage educational institutions and paying guest (PG) accommodation owners to discourage students from joining the demonstration, officials aware of the directions said.
Police believe protesters could enter Delhi through three main routes, including the eastern and Shahdara borders with Uttar Pradesh and the southwest, particularly from the Rajasthan side. Surveillance is being heightened along these routes, and barricades will be installed at entry points.
Officers have been told to ensure that no protester is allowed to sit or stage a demonstration anywhere in the New Delhi district. 'The leaders are putting on social media that if protesters are stopped anywhere, they should just sit where they are stopped. We have to ensure that doesn't happen,' a police officer said, requesting anonymity.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2026 11:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
