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Leaders of India's 'Cockroach' protest group detained in Delhi ahead of electoral reform demonstration
Overview
Hundreds of protesters and key leaders of the Gen-Z led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have been detained in Delhi during a demonstration demanding electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Founder Abhijeet Dipke and other leaders were detained upon arriving from Mumbai, while heavy security, road blocks, and metro closures prevented protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar.
Key points
- CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained upon landing in Delhi.
- The protest called for electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over voter list updates.
- Delhi Police refused permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar and deployed heavy security forces, closing metro stations and roads.
- The Election Commission and the BJP denied allegations of manipulating voter rolls or favouring the ruling party.
- The CJP emerged earlier in the year following anger over unemployment and remarks comparing jobless youth to cockroaches.