In brief
National security forces in Delhi arrested Abhijeet Dipke, the charismatic founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, ahead of an unauthorized march in Connaught Place. The youth‑driven movement demands the resignation of the chief election commissioner amid accusations of mass voter‑roll slashing. Despite police crackdowns and the detention of several leaders, the party vows to continue its campaign and has urged supporters to raise the Indian tricolour in their own towns.
The founder of India’s "cockroach" protest movement, Abhijeet Dipke, was arrested in Delhi just before a planned march in Connaught Place. Police removed him from the vehicle he was about to leave in, detaining him on the street as he approached his home.
Dipke’s youth‑led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged manipulation of the voter roster. Since its May launch, the group has drawn thousands of young activists from across the nation.
Delhi police warned that Friday’s march would be illegal and deployed hundreds of officers and paramilitary personnel across the capital. The protest was confined to a small group at Central Park, where many supporters were detained and, according to reports, some were pushed into waiting buses by police.
Earlier this week, the police boarded Dipke’s plane on arrival in Delhi and released him the following day after he pledged to maintain peace. Two other CJP leaders were jailed for five days after attempting to march at Jantar Mantar, a site recently barred for demonstrations.
The CJP urged supporters to unfurl the Indian flag in small groups and post their photos online, labeling the crackdown as reminiscent of the Emergency. “Detaining a lone man walking with the national flag in his hand is a bit of a joke,” said opposition politician Anish Gawande.
Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and others have called for the reopening of Jantar Mantar and have faced similar detentions. State officials defend the Election Commission’s independence, while opposition lawmakers claim the voter‑roll sweep favours the ruling BJP.
Despite the crackdown, the Cockroach Janta Party remains committed to continuing its campaign, with several organised protests set to occur in the coming weeks.
