India election protests continue as 160 detained in Delhi

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced a fresh mobilisation at Jantar Mantar on October 10, saying it would march to Delhi if Kumar does not step down. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke called for a peaceful demonstration and urged supporters to join the protest.

Saturday’s protesters included Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal and All India Students’ Association president Neha Bora. Police detained several demonstrators as security forces enforced restrictions on gatherings in the New Delhi area.

CJP convener Abhijeet Dipke criticised the police action, accusing authorities of suppressing peaceful dissent. The party said the October 10 protest would focus on alleged problems with the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Election Commission has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, saying major decisions related to the SIR were taken unanimously by the full commission.

The protests began on October 2 and have involved opposition groups, student organisations and youth activists. Demonstrators say the voter-roll revision has resulted in the removal of large numbers of eligible voters and have demanded that the process be scrapped.

On Friday, hundreds of protesters were detained in Delhi as police blocked attempts to reach Jantar Mantar. Heavy security was deployed around the designated protest site, with police and security forces using barricades to prevent demonstrators from entering the area.

The demonstrations have also triggered a police investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made by three female journalists during Friday’s protests. Delhi Police said the complaints had been received and that a fair and impartial inquiry would be conducted.

One complainant said in a social media video that a police officer had pushed and touched her inappropriately. The allegations came as police detained protesters around Jantar Mantar amid heightened security.

The dispute over the electoral-roll revision has widened into a broader political confrontation over election administration and voting rights. Opposition groups and youth-led organisations have called for continued protests, while the Election Commission maintains that the revision is aimed at ensuring the accuracy of voter lists.

The CJP has said it will hold the October 10 mobilisation at Jantar Mantar if Kumar does not resign, setting the stage for another major demonstration in the capital.