Actor Richa Chadha has drawn attention on social media after sharing a post urging Delhi residents to participate in the October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar and highlighting a makeup tutorial that appears to alter facial features. Her post came amid reports of widespread detentions during demonstrations organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Left organisations.
The protest called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Videos and social media posts from the national capital showed protesters being taken into custody as police enforced restrictions around the demonstration.
Chadha’s message encouraged residents to turn out in large numbers, while her reference to the makeup tutorial sparked discussion about facial recognition and protest-related privacy.
Richa Chadha urges Delhi residents to join the protest
In a post on X, Chadha called on Delhi residents to participate in the demonstration, pointing to restrictions that could make it difficult for people travelling from outside the capital to reach the protest site.
“So many restrictions on the border and locomotives etc, means baahar wale (outsiders) people can’t come into the central part. But those who live in the city should go in large numbers. Carry water. Wear a mask, cap, shades… walk ❤️ (They’re counting on you NOT showing up. Prove them wrong) Ooh! Don’t miss the make-up tutorial 😉,” she wrote.
The actor also drew attention to a makeup tutorial featuring a woman applying makeup to change the appearance of her face. The post was shared in the context of the ongoing demonstrations and concerns about facial recognition.
However, the effectiveness of any makeup technique in preventing identification by facial-recognition systems depends on the system, image quality and circumstances. The tutorial should not be treated as a verified or reliable way to evade identification.
Chadha’s message combined a call for public participation with a reference to digital identification and privacy, bringing additional attention to the protest on social media.
Imran Khan shares photo from inside police van
The protest-related detentions also drew attention after actor Imran Khan reportedly shared a photograph from inside a police van on Instagram.
According to the reports cited, Khan was detained in Mumbai along with his girlfriend, Lekha Washington, and actress Zayn Khan.
Sharing the photograph, Imran wrote, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
Lekha also reportedly posted a message on her Instagram story, writing, “Romance ho to aisi.”
The posts attracted attention because they appeared amid reports of detentions linked to the wider protest movement. The circumstances of their detention, the legal grounds cited by the authorities and whether they were subsequently released should be confirmed through reliable reporting or official statements.
CJP’s Jantar Mantar protest and reported mass detentions
The CJP called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls.
The protest, reportedly led by Abhijeet Dipke and supported by Left organisations, was described as “Jantar Mantar 2.0”. Participants reportedly included activists, political groups and farmers from Haryana and Punjab.
According to ThePrint, more than 200 protesters had been detained and taken to temporary detention facilities at the time of its report. The reported detainees included YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and CJP member Ratna Singh.
Dipke and CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were reportedly detained at Delhi airport after arriving on a flight from Mumbai. AISA national president Neha Bora was also reportedly detained after police blocked her march from Dilli Haat.
The report also described extensive security arrangements, including barricades and spike strips, around the protest. A figure of more than 40,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel was cited in the supplied material, but that deployment figure should be independently verified before publication.
Why are protesters demanding the CEC’s resignation?
The demonstration centred on opposition concerns about the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Protesters and supporting political groups have raised allegations of irregularities and called for greater transparency in the electoral process.
The demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation formed the central political message of the demonstration. These allegations remain claims by the protesters unless substantiated by independent findings or official determinations.
The scale of the reported detentions and the involvement of public figures have widened attention on the issue, bringing together debates over electoral transparency, freedom of assembly, policing and privacy.
An official response from Delhi Police and the Election Commission would help clarify the grounds for the detentions, the restrictions imposed on the gathering and the authorities’ position on the allegations concerning electoral rolls.
Richa Chadha’s post adds a digital-privacy angle
Chadha’s reference to a makeup tutorial introduced another issue into the conversation: the use of facial-recognition technology and the limits of relying on appearance-altering techniques for privacy.
Facial-recognition systems can operate differently depending on the technology and the conditions in which images are captured. Makeup that changes visible facial features is not a dependable guarantee against identification, and the tutorial’s effectiveness has not been independently established.
Her post nevertheless highlighted how concerns about surveillance and personal privacy can become part of wider public discussions surrounding demonstrations.
As further information emerges about the reported detentions and the protest, the status of those taken into custody, the police response and any subsequent statements from the people involved remain important developments to follow.
