India's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) reported that its leaders have been detained ahead of a planned protest calling for the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. The protest is scheduled to take place at Jantar Mantar, despite the detentions. CJP's National Organization In-Charge, Ajinkya Shinde, stated that he will lead the protest until the detained leaders—Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka—are released. A video shared by Dipke before his detention indicated he anticipated this outcome, stating, "If you are seeing this video, it means Ashutosh, Saurav and I have been arrested." The CJP also claimed that the detained leaders were taken to an undisclosed location, denied access to legal counsel, and cut off from communication.
The formal association of advocates at India's Supreme Court has called for urgent intervention by Chief Justice Surya Kant after reports of several lawyers being detained by Delhi police. The Supreme Court Bar Association condemned the use of excessive force against advocates who were peacefully protesting. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the government's response, describing the security measures as excessive and calling for the release of the detained protesters.
Leaders of the CJP compared the current situation to a "state of emergency," referencing a historical period in India when civil liberties were suspended. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the government's actions, stating that the current situation is worse than the Emergency.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal, of attempting to incite tensions and suggested that foreign forces were behind the protests. Delhi Police reported that around 500 people were detained as they attempted to join the protest, with additional arrests made of individuals deemed to be anti-social elements.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was reportedly detained upon arrival in Delhi, and footage of his detention was shared on social media. The police have implemented strict measures, including an internet blackout in central Delhi and barricades to prevent protesters from gathering. Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also reported to have been detained ahead of the protest.
The protest is seen as a continuation of the Cockroach movement, which previously led to the resignation of India's education minister over exam irregularities. The CJP and other groups are demanding accountability from the electoral body amid allegations of misconduct.