Abhijeet Dipke, founder of India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an “embarrassment” to the country following his release from detention on Sunday. Dipke’s remarks came amid a broader crackdown on protests related to alleged irregularities in revisions to the electoral roll.

Dipke, along with two other CJP leaders, was detained on Saturday after arriving in New Delhi from Mumbai. Reports indicated that the trio were held before they could exit the airport. Ratna Singh, the party’s chief lawyer, confirmed that the three were released by an executive magistrate’s court under the condition that they maintain peace for one year.

In a social media post, Dipke labeled Modi a “coward and bully,” reinforcing his strong opposition to the prime minister’s leadership. The detentions occurred as authorities sought to disperse demonstrators staging a CJP protest in New Delhi. Protesters were demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, accusing the election administration of mishandling recent electoral roll updates.

The detention and subsequent release of the CJP leaders highlight ongoing tensions between opposition activists and government authorities ahead of upcoming electoral processes. Security forces were seen detaining demonstrators near the protest site on October 11 as part of efforts to maintain order.

The Cockroach Janta Party, a relatively new political entity, has gained attention for its vocal stance on electoral transparency and its readiness to challenge the current administration. Authorities have increasingly resorted to preventive detentions amid concerns over potential unrest during protests.

No official comments from the prime minister’s office were immediately available regarding Dipke’s statements or the detentions. The developments underscore the contentious political atmosphere in India as elections and questions over electoral integrity remain central issues.