An Indian court has extended the detention of two youth protest leaders by two days. The decision has intensified tensions between protesters and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
The court ordered Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das to remain in custody following protests in New Delhi.
Why Were Cockroach Movement Leaders Arrested?
Police detained the activists after they entered the historic Jantar Mantar protest site last week.
Authorities had recently removed the location from the list of approved protest venues.
However, 14 protesters crossed police barricades and entered the area.
They waved Indian flags and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A court initially ordered five days of detention. On Monday, it extended their custody following a police request.
Protesters Challenge Court Decision
CJP legal representative Ratna Singh strongly criticized the extension.
She announced plans to challenge the decision in a higher court.
Meanwhile, youth groups and opposition parties continued demonstrations against changes to India’s voter lists.
Protesters allege that the changes benefit Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
However, the Election Commission rejects these allegations and maintains that eligible voters can restore their registrations.
Millions Removed From India’s Voter Lists
According to the Election Commission, authorities removed around 130 million names from voter lists.
These included deceased individuals, people who relocated, and voters whose locations officials could not confirm.
The changes have triggered widespread political debate and public demonstrations.
The growing Cockroach movement has become a major challenge for India’s government.
The latest arrests have also raised concerns about protest rights and electoral transparency.
