In brief
Hundreds were arrested during a Delhi demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party, a Gen‑Z protest movement that gained traction after a Chief Justice remark. Leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke, were detained en route to the capital, sparking social media outcry. Delhi police blocked Jantar Mantar and erected heavy security, refusing permission for the protest. The movement demands electoral roll reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Despite intense police presence, supporters held their lines until being forcibly removed by police buses.
Hundreds of protesters were detained in Delhi as the Gen‑Z led Cockroach Janta Party staged a march to demand electoral reforms, police announced on Thursday.
Founders and leaders, including Abhijeet Dipke, were arrested on the Delhi‑Mumbai flight, reportedly taken to an undisclosed location. The police said they blocked access to the iconic Jantar Mantar and deployed thousands of officers and barricades.
The group, which is not registered as a political party, has begun demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid accusations of favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in update of voter rolls.
Dipke, who rallied when the Chief Justice likened jobless youth to “cockroaches”, said he and other leaders were illegally held even over a short period.
Meanwhile, student activist Neha Bora urged demonstrators to “hold the line” as police physically moved them to government buses. The protestors were prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar by roadblocks and heavy security patrols.
The police have not yet commented on the detentions. The CJP claims it will continue its walk, defying the police block, adding that the struggle is a defence of Indian democracy.
