Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party Leaders Detained at Jantar Mantar Amid Protests Over Voter List Revision

CJP Leaders Detained After Entering Jantar Mantar

Leaders of India's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were detained early Tuesday after entering the heavily guarded Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi. Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, accompanied by others, reportedly climbed over police barricades and raised slogans while holding the Indian national flag.

Party founder Abhijeet Dipke shared a video showing the leaders being taken away by police. Ranka and Das also posted videos on social media, with Das declaring that the protest site had been “reclaimed” and confirming that they were being detained.

The exact location where police took the detained leaders was not immediately clear. Ranka later appeared in an Instagram Live broadcast from a police bus alongside other detainees. They appeared cheerful and said they would not back down.

Jantar Mantar No Longer a Designated Protest Site

The detentions followed an announcement by the Union Home Ministry that Jantar Mantar, a prominent location historically associated with public demonstrations in Delhi, would no longer be a designated protest venue.

Authorities have reportedly identified three alternative locations where demonstrations can be organised with permission.

Before the decision, CJP representatives had approached Delhi Police seeking permission to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. Ranka had claimed on social media that the site was de-notified shortly after the party approached police for a protest date.

The party had warned that it would announce further demonstrations if its request received no response.

Protests Demand Chief Election Commissioner's Resignation

The CJP's agitation is part of a wider wave of protests against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Opposition parties have alleged that the voter-list revision could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party. The BJP and the Election Commission have rejected the allegations.

Critics argue that the exercise could result in eligible voters being removed from electoral rolls and create additional difficulties for people trying to establish their eligibility.

The controversy intensified after a report by The Indian Express alleged that Kumar had disregarded concerns raised by the two other election commissioners over changes to voter registration. The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions were unanimous.

Heavy Security During Earlier Demonstrations

The latest detentions came after extensive security arrangements were put in place across Delhi to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar during a planned CJP protest on Saturday.

According to the report, several metro stations were closed, train services were disrupted, and thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed. Authorities detained and later released thousands of people over the weekend, including several journalists.

Videos and photographs from the demonstrations reportedly showed police personnel forcibly moving protesters, including women, and pushing them into buses.

Dipke was among several CJP leaders detained ahead of Saturday's planned demonstration. He was released the following day. He had travelled to his hometown in Maharashtra after the death of his grandmother.

Opposition Parties Take Protest to the Supreme Court

Separately, opposition parties organised a march in Delhi on Monday from Connaught Place to the Supreme Court to challenge the voter-list revision exercise.

The Congress also petitioned the Supreme Court, challenging the Election Commission's process, which has reportedly resulted in tens of millions of names being removed from electoral rolls.

The controversy follows student-led protests earlier this year over examination irregularities and demands for education reforms. The CJP participated in weeks of demonstrations that culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The group initially emerged as an online satirical movement after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant reportedly compared some unemployed young people to cockroaches during a court hearing in May. Although he later said his remarks had been misinterpreted, the comment became a rallying point for young people raising concerns about unemployment, examination irregularities and government accountability.

The CJP has since evolved into a pressure group, organising protests around these issues.