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India's 'cockroach' protesters set to return to Delhi streets despite police crackdown
Overview
Thousands of youth-led 'cockroach' protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) plan to return to Delhi's Central Park for a demonstration, despite a heavy police crackdown, the jailing of key leaders, and authorities banning protests at the historic Jantar Mantar site. The CJP, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, is campaigning against electoral reforms and a revision of electoral rolls that critics claim has removed millions of names, while demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Delhi High Court recently declined to block the protest following a trader's petition, even as police and paramilitary forces prepare for security arrangements.
Key points
- The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for a mass demonstration at Central Park in Delhi.
- The protests target India's electoral rolls revision, which critics claim has removed over 130 million names, and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Two CJP leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were recently jailed for five days after entering the restricted Jantar Mantar protest site.
- The Delhi High Court declined to issue an order restraining the CJP ahead of the planned Friday protest.
- Police previously launched a massive security lockdown and detained numerous protesters, journalists, and students during a previous demonstration last Saturday.
- The CJP's campaign aligns with separate protests by opposition parties, who have also accused the Election Commission of manipulation.