India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement says many members detained ahead of Delhi rally

Indian authorities have begun mass arrests of those connected to the Cockroach youth movement, as the group prepares for a large rally in Delhi, according to the group's own statements on social media. The demonstrations are focused on urging chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign in protest of the controversial revision of voter lists.

Opposition parties, student groups, and the Cockroach youth movement have been staging nearly daily protests nationwide over this issue. Among those arrested were Deepak Baliyan, a senior member and spokesman of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), and students from Pune who were en route to the event. The CJP claims dozens of thousands of people have been detained across the country, including various student organizations, Kisan and Dalit Sangathans, and political parties.

The opposition and the CJP blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for manipulating the voter lists to gain an advantage, in coordination with Kumar. While Kumar has not commented, the Election Commission and the BJP deny the accusations. Protests have also erupted in Bengaluru, where supporters of the CJP held signs demanding accountability and an end to "the murder of democracy."

The Congress Party accused police of using excessive force when detaining opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra, but the Delhi Police denied these allegations, calling them attempts to "defame" the force.