Authorities have tightened security in New Delhi and announced transport restrictions ahead of a planned demonstration by India’s “Cockroach” movement against a controversial revision of voter lists that has triggered protests across the country.
Thousands of protesters are expected to gather at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, as the campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and election authorities intensifies. Protesters, backed by opposition parties, are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the Election Commission of manipulating voter lists through the revision process.
Indian Railways has cancelled several trains serving two New Delhi stations for Saturday, while the Delhi Metro has announced the closure of 57 stations. The restrictions could make it more difficult for supporters, many of them students, to reach the protest site.
India’s Supreme Court has directed authorities to reconsider the restrictions and ensure that public transport services are not entirely suspended.
Local media reported that at least 23,000 police personnel had been deployed across the capital. Police said the measures were intended to maintain law and order and prevent disruptions to public movement.
The protests centre on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a nationwide review of voter lists carried out in most Indian states and federally administered territories. More than 130 million names have reportedly been removed, with millions of people appealing against the deletions.
Although those removed from the lists can appeal, critics say the process can be difficult, particularly for people who lack older government records or other required documents.
Opposition parties allege that the removals have disproportionately affected their supporters and minority communities, while voters more likely to support Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been retained or added to the lists. The Election Commission and the government reject these allegations, saying the exercise is politically neutral and intended to remove duplicate and ineligible entries.
The “Cockroach” movement began as an online youth campaign in May before expanding into street protests. Its earlier demonstrations, sit-ins and hunger strikes over examination paper leaks reportedly led to the resignation of India’s Education Minister in July.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has also emerged as a prominent figure in the campaign. Police briefly detained him twice during protests in New Delhi this week.
Ahead of Saturday’s demonstration, student groups and activists accused police of detaining some protesters travelling to the capital. Local media also reported that officers had visited several mosques and urged religious leaders to discourage people from attending the protest.
Abhijeet Dipke, leader of the “Cockroach” movement, said protesters would proceed despite the detentions and restrictions.
“This intimidation is not going to work, Modi,” Dipke said in a post on X. “The youth of this country are no longer scared of you.”
Source: The Associated Press
