Key Takeaways
- Key leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were detained after entering an iconic protest site in New Delhi.
- Protesters defied a security clampdown to demand the resignation of the head of India’s election commission.
- Delhi Police sealed off Jantar Mantar, a traditional protest site, with barricades and heavy police presence.
India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) reported that key leaders were detained after entering an iconic protest site in New Delhi, despite a security clampdown.
The protest, which has been ongoing, is part of a broader movement demanding the resignation of the head of India’s election commission, who is accused of manipulating voter rolls to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party.
The Election Commission of India has denied any wrongdoing, stating that it oversees the voting process in the world’s most populous nation.
Delhi Police announced that Jantar Mantar, a traditional protest site, had been taken off the list of designated official protest sites, sealing it off with yellow metal barricades and a heavy police presence.
A video posted online by CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke showed protesters clambering over the barricades, running into the empty space, and waving the national flag before being chased and detained by police.
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke stated on social media that those detained included leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde.
Delhi Police announced three official protest sites as alternatives to Jantar Mantar, including sites where CJP demonstrations led to the education minister stepping down over an examination scandal in July.
In response to the protests, Prime Minister Modi, speaking at a business conference in New Delhi, called India the ‘mother of democracy’ but did not directly address the ongoing protests.
CJP sneaks inside to reclaim Jantar Mantar
CJP, Cockroach Janta Party
All of them have been detained by Delhi Police
CJP, Cockroach Janta Party
