Cockroach Janata Party Protests Electoral Irregularities Across India

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is leading a series of nationwide demonstrations against alleged electoral irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. On October 13, Delhi Police detained CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after they jumped a gate to enter Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of having a dictatorial disdain for dissent following the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site.

The movement has faced significant resistance from law enforcement. In Jharkhand, CJP leaders Khusboo Choudhary and Moin Khan alleged they were surveilled by plainclothes operatives on a train to Delhi on October 8, leading some members to abandon their journey. In Rajasthan, the party announced protests against the Rajasthan Police, alleging the illegal detention, house arrest, and assault of student activists and social workers, including the alleged beating of members at the Gandhi Nagar Police Station in Jaipur.

Other opposition figures have joined the push against the Special Intensive Revision. Mamata Banerjee called for the use of old electoral lists, while Rahul Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc MPs and student groups at his residence. The Aam Aadmi Party has planned a one-day hunger strike for October 15. Meanwhile, the BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi of mistreating a pregnant journalist during the unrest.