Delhi authorities have stepped up security preparations ahead of a planned protest by the Cockroach Janata Party at Jantar Mantar on October 10. More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the capital.
Police have stated that permission has not been granted for the gathering and that prohibitory orders remain in force. Officers have appealed to the public to avoid unauthorised assemblies, maintain peace and refrain from any action against security personnel. Personnel have also been briefed on handling women protesters and have cautioned against the circulation of unverified information.
The protest is being organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party and supporting student groups have alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and claimed that large numbers of voters have been deleted across the country.
CJP leaders have alleged a widespread crackdown on people travelling to Delhi for the demonstration. Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka claimed that at least 10,000 individuals linked to the party, student organisations, farmers’ groups, Dalit organisations and political parties had been detained. The movement also reported that its Telangana volunteers were detained by Madhya Pradesh police while travelling by train through Bhopal.
In Rajasthan, CJP alleged that national organisation co-incharge Deepak Baliyan was detained from his residence in Alwar district and assaulted along with his brother. Baliyan said nearly a dozen policemen had surrounded his home and that his family had been threatened. Alwar Superintendent of Police Sudhir Chaudhary denied the detention claims, stating that police were patrolling the area due to panchayat elections and that Baliyan had been livestreaming their movements. The party later said Baliyan was released late at night after being taken on a long drive and dropped back at his residence.
Despite the restrictions and reported detentions, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has maintained that the October 10 protest will proceed. The campaign had earlier gained visibility in Bengaluru, where Dipke, actor-activist Prakash Raj and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee participated in a demonstration calling for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the planned mobilisation approaches.