Widespread protests in New Delhi over voter list revisions

New Delhi has been paralyzed for three days by protests and heavy police presence as thousands demonstrate against the government’s controversial revision of electoral rolls, which critics claim has disenfranchised millions. Authorities deployed over 25,000 police officers, set up barricades, suspended mobile internet services, and canceled train routes to suppress the movement. During the weekend, police arrested thousands of individuals, with reports indicating over 2,000 detainees in New Delhi and 400 in Mumbai. Reporters Without Borders also reported the detention of at least 16 journalists.

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the student-led "Cockroach" movement, along with other key figures like Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were arrested upon arriving in New Delhi but were subsequently released by a court with the condition to avoid participating in any protests for one year. Influencer Dhruv Rathee was also detained and released under similar conditions.

The protests, led by the Cockroach movement and supported by the Congress Party, demand the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Congress Party, has called for a march to the Supreme Court. The government maintains that the election procedures are fair, while the opposition alleges the revisions are a tactical move to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party.