New Delhi protests intensify over Chief Election Commissioner resignation demands

Protests in New Delhi have intensified as demonstrators demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Protesters, including youth organizations and members of the Cockroach Janata Party, allege that approximately 130 million names were removed from voter lists to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Authorities have responded with a significant security presence, deploying tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces, implementing road blockades, and suspending mobile internet services. Several political leaders, students, and activists have been detained. Cockroach Janata Party leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Surav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka were recently released by an executive magistrate after being detained upon arrival in Delhi from Mumbai.

The Indian government and the Election Commission have denied any irregularities in the voter list revision process. Government officials have stated there is no possibility of the Chief Election Commissioner resigning, a stance that critics argue undermines public trust in the electoral system.