India closes down New Delhi park ahead of 'cockroach' movement rally

Indian authorities closed Central Park in New Delhi on Friday, ahead of a protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the removal of the country's election chief. The party alleges that revised voter rolls favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party, potentially disenfranchising millions. Despite the Election Commission denying any wrongdoing, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke urged supporters to rally at the park after two of his colleagues were detained for breaching a security barricade at Jantar Mantar.

Delhi's municipal authorities and police barred public gatherings around Connaught Place due to concerns about public order and safety. The Indian capital has witnessed street protests over the large-scale voter roll revision, with claims that more than 130 million names have been removed, disproportionately affecting minorities, particularly Muslims.

Critics argue that the move is aimed at eliminating duplicate, deceased, and fraudulent entries, while supporters maintain that large numbers of undocumented Muslim migrants from Bangladesh have fraudulently entered India's electoral rolls. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh dismissed these allegations, stating that opposition parties aim to "destroy democratic institutions and create unrest in the country."