Police locked down New Delhi on October 10, 2026, to prevent a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protest was organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which claims that recent revisions to voter lists favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A New Delhi court ordered the release of three CJP leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke, a day after their arrest upon arrival in the city.
Over 2,000 individuals, including opposition politicians, journalists, and lawyers, were detained by police during the protest. The Hindu newspaper reported nearly 2,500 detentions, while Reuters cited a Ministry of Home Affairs official stating the number was about 2,000. Additionally, around 600 people were arrested in Mumbai.
The CJP's planned gathering at Jantar Mantar was blocked by security forces, who deployed thousands of police and paramilitary personnel across the city, suspended mobile internet services in the central business district, and closed dozens of metro stations and markets. Checkpoints were established on major roads, and anti-riot vehicles were stationed at key locations.
Dipke shared a video on social media showing police entering the airplane he was on after landing in New Delhi, stating, "I have come to get arrested. I am not afraid of you guys." Other notable detentions included prominent critics of the government and opposition lawmakers.
Despite the crackdown, smaller protests occurred in various locations, including at Dilli Haat, where demonstrators expressed their dissent against the government's actions. The protests were fueled by allegations that the revisions to voter lists, which removed approximately 130 million names, were intended to manipulate election outcomes.
The BJP has denied any wrongdoing, attributing its electoral success to Modi's popularity and India's economic growth. BJP spokesman Sambit Patra characterized the demonstrators as "anarchic elements" and dismissed their actions as unrepresentative of India.
Opposition leaders criticized the government's response, with Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge condemning the detentions and calling the current situation a "Muzzled Democracy." The United Nations Human Rights Office expressed concern over the mass detentions, urging the Indian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly.
Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists also voiced concerns regarding the government's actions against dissenting voices. In response, the Indian mission to the UN in Geneva rejected these international concerns as unwarranted interference, asserting that the right to peaceful assembly is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order.
Political analyst Sanjay Kapoor remarked on the government's reaction to the protests, suggesting that the BJP is fearful of losing credibility and power as the country approaches significant state elections in early 2027.