New Delhi prepared for a second consecutive day of youth-led demonstrations on Sunday, with protesters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over disputed voter-list revisions.
The protests intensified after authorities detained more than 2,000 people and restricted access to central Delhi during Saturday’s demonstrations. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel remained deployed across the capital on Sunday, although metro stations reopened and mobile internet services resumed.
Meanwhile, a court ordered the release of Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, and two other senior movement leaders. Police had detained them upon their arrival in Delhi as the group prepared to gather thousands of protesters at Jantar Mantar.
Protest Leaders Released Under Conditions
Dipke and the two other leaders appeared before a magistrate early Sunday. The party’s legal head, Ratna Singh, said their release came with a condition requiring them to maintain peace for one year.
Social media influencer Dhruv Rathee, who was also detained, was released after midnight on the condition that he would not participate in further protests, according to a government official.
Most people detained during Saturday’s demonstrations were released later that night. However, opposition parties criticised the authorities’ response, while a United Nations body called on India to respect the right to peaceful assembly.
India’s foreign ministry rejected the criticism, describing the UN’s position as selective interference in the country’s internal affairs.
Dispute Over Voter Lists Fuels Demonstrations
Protesters are demanding Kumar’s resignation over revisions to electoral rolls that critics say could disproportionately affect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Election Commission data cited by the BJP indicates that approximately 130 million names have been removed from voter lists during a verification exercise. This includes 63 million people who reportedly relocated and 30 million who could not be traced.
The Election Commission and the BJP deny allegations of manipulation or political favouritism. However, opposition parties argue that Muslim voters and other minority communities could be disproportionately affected.
The Cockroach Janta Party, which began as an online satirical movement, has vowed to continue its campaign until India’s electoral system is reformed.
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