In a bold accusation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, leaders of India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have charged the government with fostering an atmosphere of fear and stifling democratic dissent. This comes amid ongoing protests in Delhi, which have persisted for a second consecutive day.
The protests, spearheaded by the youth-driven CJP along with student groups and civil society activists, demand the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Demonstrators claim that he was responsible for a voter-list revision that allegedly removed around 130 million names from India’s electoral rolls, a move critics say may disenfranchise minority communities to the advantage of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has dismissed allegations of political interference, asserting that the revision aims to eliminate ineligible voters.
During Saturday’s demonstrations, CJP leaders Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka were detained but subsequently released on Sunday under conditions aimed at preventing public disorder. Following their release, these leaders vowed to persist with their protests, criticizing the government’s handling of the situation.
In response to the protests, authorities implemented stringent security measures across Delhi, including police barricades and restrictions on public transport and internet services. Reports indicate that thousands were detained as police sought to avert gatherings at protest sites.
Despite these measures, student activists and CJP supporters resumed their protests on Sunday. Among them was student activist Neha Bora, who, after being detained again, alleged that protesters faced abusive treatment and overcrowded detention conditions. Another protester, Delhi University student Surbi Yadav, accused police of using excessive force during her detention and expressed her commitment to continue demonstrating until their demands are met.
At a press conference, CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka expanded their criticism beyond the resignation of Kumar to broader issues involving Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Das accused the government of employing force to safeguard its political interests and warned that the protests would persist.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has also advocated for accountability regarding the voter-list revision, accusing the government of electoral misconduct. This criticism adds to the growing pressure on the ruling party concerning the integrity of the electoral process. Meanwhile, the BJP has rejected these allegations, with spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia defending the voter-list revision as a legitimate effort to remove dead and illegal voters.
The ongoing demonstrations underscore escalating political tensions in India over electoral transparency, civil liberties, and the management of public protests. Protesters have vowed to sustain pressure on the government, while authorities remain focused on preventing further unrest in the capital.