Top leaders of India’s youth group known as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were detained on Tuesday after entering the grounds of Jantar Mantar, a historic open-air observatory in Delhi long used as a site for protests. The group’s supporters jumped barricades to gain access following a recent decision by authorities to remove Jantar Mantar’s official status as a designated protest site.
The demonstration targeted Gyanesh Kumar, India’s chief election commissioner, with protesters demanding his resignation over a controversial revision of voter lists. Critics claim the changes unfairly benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though the Election Commission has denied any bias, stating that voters removed from the rolls in error may re-enroll. The BJP has accused opposition parties of attempting to destabilize democratic processes by casting doubt on the revisions.
About 20 CJP volunteers, including leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and Ajinkya Shinde, were among those detained after entering the site. The youth group livestreamed footage of protesters breaching the barricades, waving the Indian flag, and chanting slogans before police intervened. The group’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, described their action as an effort to “reclaim” the space, emphasizing that opposition and resistance cannot be suppressed by administrative decisions.
The Jantar Mantar, located in Delhi’s central district, had previously been a prominent venue for protests, but Delhi Police recently announced three alternative locations for demonstrations. This move came amid heightened tensions surrounding ongoing anti-government protests.
The CJP has gained prominence in recent months for mobilizing protests on various issues, including public education and employment. Earlier this year, a prolonged sit-in organized by the movement at Jantar Mantar contributed to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following exam paper leak scandals.
Opposition groups also organized a large protest march on Monday involving thousands of participants, following a police crackdown that had prevented the CJP’s planned demonstration over the weekend. Authorities reportedly detained thousands of protesters during the period, reflecting the broader political friction in the capital. Delhi Police have not issued an immediate comment regarding the most recent arrests.