Police have deployed significant numbers of personnel in anticipation of demonstrations by opposition parties leading up to Saturday's protest organized by the 'cockroach' movement. The movement, led by Gen Z activists, is advocating for electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, who is accused of manipulating voters' lists. The Election Commission has denied these allegations, and Kumar has not publicly responded to the calls for his resignation.
In response to the planned protest, authorities have closed roads leading to Jantar Mantar, the main protest venue, and have set up large metal barricades. Several train services to Delhi have been canceled, and numerous metro stations have been shut down to prevent protesters from gathering. Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which is spearheading the protests, stated that they will proceed with their march to Jantar Mantar despite the restrictions, expressing a willingness to face arrest or violence.
The CJP previously held a rally in Bengaluru on Thursday against CEC Kumar and has been active in protests for education reforms. The upcoming protests are expected to be significant, with support from various opposition parties, farmer organizations, and student groups. CJP leaders allege that authorities have been obstructing their supporters from reaching Delhi.
In total, over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the capital, and authorities have urged citizens to avoid protests. Police official Nupur Prasad explained that permission for the protest was denied due to the short notice given by the CJP and past non-compliance with lawful directions. The CJP argues that they only need to inform the police of their gathering and do not require approval.
The controversy centers around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which the Election Commission claims is aimed at removing duplicate and ineligible entries. However, opposition parties and activists contend that the process is being manipulated to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both the BJP and the Election Commission have dismissed these allegations. Recent days have seen heightened tensions, with police intervening in protests led by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and other MPs, resulting in viral videos of confrontations.