‘Cockroaches’ join India protests demanding election chief resign
The protestors are demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-roll irregularities.
Indian protesters have taken to the streets in New Delhi and Mumbai, with members of the popular youth-led Cockroach Party joining the demonstrations. The activists are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging voter-roll irregularities. Police presence was heavy as protesters displayed national flags and chanted slogans against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The Cockroach Party, which began as a satirical online movement in May, held its first protests in Mumbai's Shivaji Park this week. Protesters, including Nidhi Sharma and Imran, shared their personal stories of being removed from voter rolls, risking their right to vote and access to government benefits. Kumar's office has not commented on the allegations, while the ECI maintains its innocence.
Hundreds gathered at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi, where the protest site was sealed off by police barricades. Opposition politicians accuse the ECI of acting under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Some opposition politicians joined the protest and were briefly detained by police.
Opposition parties plan more protests, including a march to the Election Commission in New Delhi and nationwide "Save Democracy" rallies.
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