‘Cockroach’ Movement Puts Modi Government Under Pressure as Delhi Imposes Restrictions and Makes Mass Arrests
Police and security forces in India have launched a major crackdown as the youth-led ‘Cockroach Movement’, also known as the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP), resumed large protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. On Friday (October 2, 2026), police detained more than 500 protesters in New Delhi and Mumbai, including former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena, as security forces moved against the demonstrators.
India rocked by allegations of voter-list manipulation
Public anger and protests by Gen Z activists have intensified following the emergence of serious allegations of voter-list manipulation in India. Reports said that two officials within the Election Commission had submitted written objections at least 14 times over the past 10 months regarding irregularities in voter-list revisions, registration procedures and the digital system. Opposition parties and protesters have alleged that millions of genuine voters were removed from the electoral rolls in the name of voter-list verification to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Restrictions and mass arrests in Delhi
On Friday, police and paramilitary forces surrounded Jantar Mantar in New Delhi with barricades to prevent a pre-announced protest.
Metro stations closed: At least 11 metro stations around Jantar Mantar were completely closed as part of security measures.
Restrictions imposed: Delhi Police imposed Section 163, formerly known as Section 144, banning gatherings of more than five people and the raising of slogans.
Mass arrests: By around 3pm, police had detained at least 500 people, including Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Chief Minister Atishi Marlena, student activists and other protesters. They were taken away in police prison vans. At the same time, heavy police security was deployed at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, and the area was declared a no-parking zone.
‘The movement will continue until the CEC resigns’
Saurav Das, convenor of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), said, “Gyanesh Kumar must resign. The fight will not stop until he is brought to justice for the crimes he has committed against the younger generation and the country.” The group has warned that it will intensify the movement across the country in the coming days. The main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, has also announced plans to launch street protests against the Election Commission from next Tuesday.
The ‘Cockroach Movement’, which reportedly began with a troll account on social media, has now developed into one of India’s largest youth-led mass movements. Last July, India’s then Education Minister was forced to resign following sustained protests by the movement.
Source: Al Jazeera
