NEW DELHI: Police detained more than 2,000 protesters and the founder of the “Cockroach” youth movement in Delhi on Saturday as security forces locked down parts of the capital to thwart a rally demanding the resignation of India’s election chief.
Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city, mobile internet services were suspended in the central business district and dozens of metro stations and markets were shut as authorities moved to stop a demonstration organised by the Cockroach movement.
The protest was aimed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a revision of voter lists that critics say disproportionately benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The movement had planned to gather thousands of people at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi, but the area was sealed off by security forces before the demonstration began.
Across the capital of about 20 million people, security forces set up checkpoints on major roads and entry points, boarded buses searching for protesters and inspected vehicles. Barricades and concrete blocks disrupted traffic while anti-riot vehicles equipped with tear-gas launchers guarded key routes.
A home ministry official said more than 2,000 people were detained in Delhi. Local media said about 400 protesters were held in India’s financial hub, Mumbai. There was no immediate comment from police on the detentions.
Small protests broke out elsewhere in Delhi, including at a popular crafts market and the memorial to freedom movement leader Mahatma Gandhi, with demonstrators demanding Kumar’s resignation. “Long live the revolution,” some young protesters chanted as police chased them and dragged scores of others into buses to be taken away, even as more arrived, a witness said. “This is violating the rights of the people and the country will not tolerate this anymore,” Yogendra Solanki said as police escorted him away.
Abhijeet Dipke held
Police detained Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and senior leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka when their flight from Mumbai landed in Delhi, the group said in a statement. Television footage showed Dipke challenging officers who approached him on board the aircraft. “I have come to be arrested, arrest me … I am not afraid of you guys,” he said.
“No, this is not an arrest,” one officer replied. “Please cooperate.” The movement condemned what it called the “authoritarian detention” of its leaders, demanded their release and vowed to continue protesting.
“We will continue our protest tomorrow, day after … until Gyanesh Kumar resigns. We will be on the streets,” CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde told reporters. CJP also said authorities refused to provide updates on the leaders’ whereabouts or health, even after news arrived of the death of Dipke’s grandmother. Police said Dipke was informed of her death and was offered help to return home for the funeral.
Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2026
