August M
A youth-driven political movement in India has returned to the spotlight following large demonstrations in New Delhi.
Its growing campaign against the country’s election authorities has attracted thousands of supporters and prompted police intervention reports Dr News
Three Leaders Released
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was released on Sunday, October 11, after police detained him at New Delhi airport the previous day.
Fellow organizers Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were also freed. According to the movement’s lawyer, Ratna Singh, all three must avoid disturbing public order for the next year.
The Indian Express confirmed that a Delhi magistrate authorized their release following their detention ahead of planned demonstrations.
Protests Over Elections
On Saturday, October 10, demonstrators gathered in New Delhi despite police refusing permission for the Cockroach movement’s planned rally.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over changes to India’s electoral registers.
Critics allege that the voter-list revisions could exclude eligible citizens and benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both the election authorities and the BJP reject the accusations.
According to BBC reporting cited by DR News, a BJP spokesperson characterized the demonstrators as “a few anarchist forces” attempting to “hold India captive”.
From Instagram To Streets
The Cockroach movement emerged earlier in 2026 as a satirical Instagram account before developing into a political campaign with particularly strong support among young Indians.
Danish news agency Ritzau reported that the account attracted 15 million followers in less than a week.
Although the three organizers have been released, the dispute over voter registration remains unresolved. Protesters continue to demand accountability, while election authorities deny manipulating the electoral process.
Sources: DR News, Ritzau, BBC, The Indian Express, Associated Press.
