The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led political group in India, has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of suppressing democratic dissent and creating a climate of fear as anti-government protests in Delhi entered their second day. The protests, organized by the CJP, student groups, and civil society activists, are demanding the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Demonstrators allege that Kumar oversaw a voter-list revision that removed around 130 million names from India’s electoral rolls, potentially disenfranchising minority communities to the benefit of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP denies these claims, asserting that the revision is a legitimate effort to remove ineligible voters.
During the demonstrations, CJP leaders Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka were detained on Saturday but released on Sunday under conditions aimed at preventing public disorder. Upon their release, the leaders pledged to continue the protests, criticizing the government’s approach to handling the dissent. Extensive security measures, including police barricades and restrictions on public transport and internet services, were deployed across the capital. Thousands of protesters were reportedly detained as authorities sought to prevent gatherings at protest sites.
Despite the heavy crackdown, students and CJP supporters returned to the streets on Sunday, with student activist Neha Bora among those detained again. Bora reported abusive treatment and overcrowded conditions during detention. Another protester, Delhi University student Surbi Yadav, accused the police of using excessive force, stating her commitment to continue protesting until demands were met.
At a press conference, CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka expanded the movement’s focus beyond the demand for Kumar’s resignation, criticizing Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for allegedly using force to protect their political interests. Das warned that protests would persist despite government resistance.
The BJP has dismissed allegations of electoral manipulation and damage to democratic institutions as unfounded. Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia defended the voter-list revision as a necessary measure to eliminate dead and illegal voters, not to influence election outcomes. Meanwhile, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has also criticized the government’s handling of the voter-list revision, adding to the pressure on the ruling party amid rising concerns about electoral integrity.
The ongoing protests underscore escalating political tensions in India over electoral transparency, civil liberties, and the management of public demonstrations. Protesters remain determined to keep the government accountable, while authorities are focused on preventing further unrest in the capital.