Indian police detained leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday as protests over changes to voter lists continued in New Delhi. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over revisions that reportedly removed more than 130 million names from electoral rolls.
The latest detentions came after CJP supporters crossed barricades and entered the grounds of the historic Jantar Mantar observatory, a traditional protest location. The movement says authorities should not prevent citizens from demonstrating against the disputed voter-list changes.
CJP Leaders Detained During Fresh Demonstration
According to Reuters, CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ajinkya Shinde were among approximately 20 volunteers detained during Tuesday’s protest.
The demonstrators reportedly entered the restricted grounds while chanting slogans and waving the Indian flag. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the authorities following the detentions.
The incident follows a wider crackdown on demonstrations over the weekend, when police detained thousands of protesters, including opposition figures and members of the youth movement.
Voter List Revision Sparks Political Dispute
The controversy centres on a nationwide revision of India’s electoral rolls that began last year. The process removed more than 130 million names, including people reported as deceased, individuals who had relocated and voters authorities could not trace.
Opposition parties allege the deletions could disproportionately affect Muslim voters and other minority communities. They argue that the changes raise concerns about voter access and the fairness of the electoral process.
However, India’s Election Commission has denied favouring any political party. It has said voters whose names were wrongly removed can register again. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also rejected accusations of wrongdoing.
Jantar Mantar No Longer an Official Protest Site
The latest confrontation followed Delhi Police’s announcement that Jantar Mantar would no longer remain a designated protest site. Authorities said three alternative locations had been identified for demonstrations.
CJP supporters challenged the decision by entering the observatory grounds. The movement has organised protests over several issues, including government school infrastructure, employment and election-related concerns.
Opposition Demands Accountability
Opposition parties have stepped up their demonstrations, with thousands joining a march on Monday. Their demands include the resignation of the chief election commissioner and greater transparency in voter-list revisions.
The Election Commission maintains that its process is legitimate, while the opposition continues to question its impact on eligible voters. As demonstrations continue in New Delhi, the dispute has intensified debate over electoral registration, public protest and the responsibilities of India’s election authorities.
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