Indian police crack down on 'Cockroach' protest in Delhi

The Keralam branch of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has dispatched volunteers to Delhi in protest, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Approximately 20 CJP volunteers have journeyed to the national capital over the past two days, according to movement leaders. They are apprehensive that participants may be among those arrested.

"Our coordinators, volunteers, and social media participants have traveled to Delhi. Most of them are from Ernakulam," stated Isha Mariyam Haris, a CJP state coordinator. Over 3,000 protesters have been apprehended by Delhi police. Haris, a former student activist, added that additional CJP volunteers from various states could join the protest in Delhi in the days ahead.

Some supporters suspect they are under police surveillance following prior demonstrations. "There hasn't been a coordinated effort to mobilize volunteers for the Delhi protests, as such an action would likely draw police attention. Many CJP supporters are students who cannot afford extended travel and lodging for protests," a volunteer who organized initial movement meetups in the state explained.

"Those who attended earlier CJP gatherings received calls from the police, asking about their plans. I received three such calls in the last two days, claiming to be from the police. They inquired if I had gone to Delhi." The Keralam CJP unit plans to hold a solidarity meet in Kozhikode alongside the Delhi protest on Saturday.