India detains ‘cockroach’ leader, others as protests intensify

Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and AISA chief Neha Bohra on Friday while they were on their way to Connaught Place to join the “Lehra Do Tiranga” (Flag Rally) protest, demanding the removal of the country’s chief election commissioner.
The youth-led CJP, opposition groups, and student organisations have held almost daily protests this month demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over a revision of voter lists that critics say favours Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While Dipke was picked up from his home in Jhandewalan, Neha was detained in Mandi House, both in Central Delhi. There was chaos with jostling crowds, camera crews and swarms of security personnel as the two were detained.
Delhi Police have served a notice on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, barring him from holding a protest at Connaught Place, hours before the party’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march scheduled for 5pm Friday.
Police have denied permission for the march, citing prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and adjoining areas. The New Delhi Municipal Council has also announced that Central Park will remain closed to the public on Friday and Saturday, The Hindu reported.
Police say they warned against protesting
The live video on CJP’s Instagram handle showed Dipke coming out of a house and walking towards the street, where police officers stopped him and, after a brief argument, hauled him into a police car and drove away.
“We are detaining you right now,” a police officer could be heard telling Dipke.
“I have not broken any law right now ... how can you detain me?” Dipke asked the police officers as he was taken away, the second time in a week that he has been detained.
There was no immediate comment from the police on the detention.
“Abhijeet is detained by Delhi Police,” CJP posted on X. “This government is so scared of the youth waving national flag.”

Youth used as pawns, BJP says
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the demonstrations were the main opposition Congress party’s attempt to “seize power”.
“Instead of channelling the energy of the youth toward nation-building, they are being used as pawns in the politics of anarchy,” he said at a media briefing on Friday.
130 million names removed from voter rolls
The cockroach movement has emerged as one of the biggest political challenges faced by Modi and his BJP in his 12 years in power.
The latest demonstrations erupted after the Indian Express newspaper reported that Kumar’s two deputies raised concerns internally about the "special intensive revision" (SIR), voter list changes, registration procedures and digital systems.
The 130 million names that were removed from voter lists starting last year—equivalent to more than the population of Japan—included 28 million people who had died, 63 million who relocated, and 30 million who could not be traced, according to the Election Commission.
Opposition parties allege the deletions disproportionately affect Muslims and other minorities, who are unlikely to support the Hindu nationalist ruling party, allegations the commission and the BJP reject.

Recommended Stories

• A dinar for Tk395, a taka for 730 Lebanese pounds
• BRTA orders front number plates for motorcycles