Indian authorities have cautioned the founder of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party against holding a planned demonstration in New Delhi, local media reported, amid ongoing protests calling for the resignation of the country’s top election official.
The movement, joined by opposition parties and student groups, has organized almost daily demonstrations this month over changes to India’s voter lists. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the revisions could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
More than 130 million voters were removed from the lists during the review. The Election Commission has rejected allegations of political favoritism, saying voters mistakenly excluded from the rolls can register again. The BJP has accused its political opponents of casting doubt on legitimate electoral procedures to weaken public confidence in democracy.
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke announced Friday’s rally to show support for two members of the group who were detained earlier in the week and ordered to spend five days in jail after taking part in a demonstration at a restricted protest site.
The party and left-wing student organizations called on supporters to assemble at Central Park in Connaught Place, a popular shopping and dining district in the capital. Organizers planned to raise and wave the Indian national flag.
Dipke said police officers visited him and delivered a notice accusing the group of participating in unlawful activities and encouraging people to join them.
“Don’t we even have the freedom to hoist our own tricolour in our own nation?” he said in a statement.
News agency ANI, citing police sources, reported that the notice stated that restrictions on public gatherings were in force in Connaught Place and that the rally had not received official approval. It warned that Dipke could face legal action if he proceeded to the location.
Delhi Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
SECURITY TIGHTENED AS AUTHORITIES SEEK TO PREVENT GATHERING
Police increased security across the city and advised the public not to participate in similar assemblies. Authorities said they could arrange for a limited number of people to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem at a location approved for the activity.
The local civic authority also announced that Central Park would be closed for two days, citing administrative reasons.
Business owners in the area appealed to the Supreme Court to stop the demonstration, warning that the gathering could result in substantial financial losses. They also sought compensation for damages they said they suffered when a similar rally planned for the previous weekend was stopped by a security operation.
The Cockroach movement has become a prominent source of political pressure on Modi and his BJP government, which has been in power for 12 years.
Earlier this year, a weeks-long sit-in by the group’s supporters preceded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid controversy over leaked examination papers.
The latest protests gained momentum after The Indian Express reported that two deputy election commissioners had raised internal questions about voter-list revisions, registration procedures and digital systems.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh blamed the demonstrations on the opposition Congress party, accusing it of attempting to take power through the protests.
“Instead of channelling the energy of the youth toward nation-building, they are being used as pawns in the politics of anarchy,” Singh said during a media briefing on Friday.
