Heavy Security Measures Taken for Cockroach Movement Protests in Delhi
India's capital Delhi has turned into a fortress with the deployment of tens of security personnel due to protests called for electoral reforms.
Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed and roads and stations have been closed ahead of a major protest planned by the Gen Z-led cockroach movement in India's capital Delhi.
Protests and Security Measures
India's capital Delhi has been turned into a fortress with the deployment of tens of thousands of security personnel ahead of a major protest planned for the weekend.
Authorities have closed all roads leading to the Jantar Mantar area with metal barriers, while various transport restrictions and diversions have also been implemented at metro stations and trains.
Election Commission and Resignation Demands
Activists and Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke are demanding electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over voter list controversies.
While the Election Commission denies the allegations, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has not yet made an official statement regarding the calls for resignation.
Voter List Controversies
At the center of the controversies is the controversial voter roll update process known as the Special Intensive Revision, which was launched last year.
The Election Commission states that this practice was carried out to clear duplicate and ineligible registrations, and reported that 130 million names have been removed from the list so far.
Opposition and Political Reactions
Opposition parties and activists argue that a large number of eligible voters are among the deleted names and that the process is being manipulated in favor of the ruling party.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and other lawmakers' protests on the issue faced police intervention, while the ruling BJP flatly denies the accusations.