Indian authorities have heightened security in New Delhi ahead of a rally organised by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), as demonstrators demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over controversial revisions to voter lists.
According to Reuters, the rally is scheduled for Friday, October 16, with police warning of possible traffic disruptions. The CJP, opposition groups and student organisations have staged repeated protests this month over the voter-registration exercise, which critics say could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
More than 130 million names have reportedly been removed from electoral rolls during the revision exercise. The Election Commission has denied allegations of political bias, saying the process is intended to update voter lists and that eligible voters whose names were wrongly deleted can re-enrol. The BJP has accused opposition parties of undermining democratic institutions by questioning the electoral process.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the latest demonstration would show solidarity with two party leaders who were detained and sent to jail for five days after allegedly violating restrictions during a protest at a designated demonstration site.
The CJP and left-wing student organisations called on supporters to gather at Central Park in Connaught Place, a major commercial district in New Delhi, to wave and hoist the Indian national flag.
However, Delhi Police urged the public not to attend the gathering. Authorities also announced that Central Park would remain closed for two days, citing administrative reasons.
Police said they could facilitate a smaller group of people to display the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable location.
Meanwhile, traders in Connaught Place petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the planned demonstration, arguing that it could cause significant financial losses. They also sought compensation for losses allegedly suffered during an earlier rally that was prevented by a security crackdown.
The protests have intensified pressure on Modi’s government over the electoral-roll revision. The movement previously organised demonstrations over examination paper leaks, which were followed by the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier this year.
The latest protests were also triggered by an investigation published by The Indian Express, which reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised concerns internally about changes to voter lists, registration procedures and the centralised digital system.
Goodness Anunobi
Follow us on:
