NEW DELHI — A court in India’s capital ordered the release on Sunday of three leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement demanding the resignation of the country’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The decision came as authorities maintained heavy security in New Delhi, where thousands of police and paramilitary personnel remained deployed ahead of a planned second day of protests.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and two other senior leaders were released on the condition they commit to ‘no breach of peace for one year,’ according to a statement from the movement’s legal head, Ratna Singh. The leaders had been detained on Saturday as they arrived in Delhi to lead demonstrations against alleged voter roll irregularities in the Election Commission’s nationwide revision process. Dipke, upon release, publicly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him ‘an embarrassment to India’ and ‘a bigger coward and bully.’
Security crackdown and detentions
Security forces locked down parts of New Delhi on Saturday, detaining more than 2,000 protesters, including journalists and lawyers, according to multiple reports. Metro stations were closed, mobile internet services were suspended in central districts, and train services to the capital were canceled. Police confirmed detaining over 2,000 people in Delhi, with additional detentions reported in Mumbai.
The CJP had planned to gather supporters at Jantar Mantar, a central protest site in Delhi, but authorities sealed off the area. Media reports indicated at least 7,000 people attempted to reach the venue, with most detained and released late Saturday. Social media footage showed unarmed protesters being carried into police buses, and journalists reported being detained despite displaying press credentials.
Demands and allegations
The CJP’s demands center on the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging the Election Commission manipulated voter lists in favor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of upcoming state elections. The Election Commission has denied any wrongdoing. The movement originated in May after India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant compared unemployed youth to ‘cockroaches,’ a comment that sparked widespread outrage and inspired the group’s name.
Opposition leaders and activists, including social media influencer Dhruv Rathee, were also detained and released under similar conditions. Rathee was barred from participating in further protests, according to an unnamed interior ministry official.
International response
The United Nations human rights office expressed concern over the mass detentions, stating, “We call on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled.” The UN urged authorities to engage in dialogue and address the protesters’ grievances.
Protests to continue
Despite the detentions and crackdown, CJP leaders and opposition figures have vowed to resume protests on Monday, defying the security measures. The movement, which has amassed tens of millions of followers online, continues to call for electoral reforms and accountability within the Election Commission.
Background: The ‘Cockroach’ movement
The CJP emerged in response to the Chief Justice’s remarks, which the movement’s supporters described as dehumanizing. Dipke, a Boston University graduate, gained prominence with a viral social media post asking, “What if all cockroaches come together?” The movement has since expanded its platform to include demands for transparency in voter registration and broader electoral accountability.
Key figures detained and released
- Abhijeet Dipke: CJP founder and detained leader, released Sunday morning.
- Saurav Das: Senior CJP leader, detained alongside Dipke.
- Ashutosh Ranka: Another senior leader released under the same conditions.
- Dhruv Rathee: Social media influencer and activist, released with a one-year protest ban.
Legal and political context
The CJP is not registered as a political party but has drawn support from opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, who has echoed the movement’s demands. The group’s rapid rise reflects growing youth discontent in India over political representation and electoral integrity.
Security measures remain in place
As of Sunday evening, thousands of police and paramilitary personnel continued to patrol central Delhi, with roads barricaded and metro stations reopened only after the initial protest day. Mobile internet services were restored in most areas, though restrictions remained in parts of the city.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for renewed demonstrations on Monday amid heightened tensions over electoral processes and political freedoms.