India’s Cockroach movement, a youth-driven political organization, launched fresh protests on Friday as thousands congregated in Mumbai to oppose what they characterize as unfair removal of citizens from electoral rolls. The movement, formally known as the Cockroach Janta party (CJP), has mobilized particularly among younger demographics and is calling for the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Kumar has become a focal point of controversy following reports of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) program, an initiative designed to review and update India’s electoral register. The process has resulted in tens of millions of individuals being removed from voter rolls, with substantial numbers challenging their deletions. Opposition figures and civil society advocates contend that SIR represents a systematic effort to manipulate the electoral system in favor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata party.
The CJP originated as an online satirical project but evolved into a significant grassroots movement and source of pressure on the Modi administration. Following previous agitations that lasted weeks in Delhi, the organization successfully compelled the education minister to resign in July. The CJP subsequently repositioned itself as a persistent advocacy entity focused on education and democratic governance. The founder, Abhijeet Dipke, issued an ultimatum last week that demonstrations would continue until Kumar stepped down, with additional protests scheduled for Delhi, Goa, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.
Protests unfolded on Friday amid substantial police presence in both Mumbai and Delhi. In the capital, authorities implemented extensive security measures including metro station closures and internet restrictions. At least 700 individuals, comprising civil society representatives and opposition lawmakers, were detained during Delhi demonstrations at the Jantar Mantar site. The election commission denied allegations of impropriety but announced measures to expedite registration of newly eligible voters and those claiming wrongful omission. Opposition parties signaled plans to initiate coordinated nationwide protests and announced scheduled marches to the election commission office.
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