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New Delhi faced another day of demonstrations on Sunday, October 11, as thousands of security officers guarded key streets and public spaces.
The unrest continued despite a court ordering the release of prominent figures from India’s rapidly growing youth-led Cockroach movement reports BBC.
Protest Leaders Released
According to the BBC, a Delhi court freed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke alongside senior organizers Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
Police had detained the three aboard their aircraft on Saturday after they arrived to participate in demonstrations demanding electoral reforms.
Their lawyer, Ratna Singh, initially reported that their release required them to maintain public peace for one year. However, uncertainty remains over whether that condition restricts their involvement in future demonstrations.
Following his release, Dipke declared: “the CJP will neither back down nor be intimidated”.
Delhi Faces Disruption
Security restrictions continued Sunday, with barricades surrounding central Delhi and police detaining protesters attempting to gather.
The BBC reported that Saturday’s operation involved thousands of detentions, temporary internet restrictions, railway disruptions and the closure of at least 45 metro stations.
India’s Supreme Court subsequently directed authorities to restore internet and transport services, permit public movement and prevent unlawful detention unless public-order concerns justified restrictions.
Election Changes Challenged
The demonstrations centre on an electoral register revision that has reportedly removed more than 130 million names nationwide.
The CJP and opposition parties allege that eligible voters have been excluded in ways benefiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Election Commission and BJP deny wrongdoing, maintaining that the revisions are intended to remove duplicate, deceased and otherwise ineligible voters.
Founded in May after a controversy involving remarks about unemployed young Indians, the movement previously campaigned for education reforms. Its latest demands include the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Sources: BBC News, Reuters, Associated Press, The Indian Express.
