From Foreign Policy · Alexandra Sharp · · 1m 50s
India’s Cockroach Protests
Modi faces youth-led protests over electoral roll cuts as cockroach movement grows.
In brief
Modi faces youth-led protests over electoral roll cuts as cockroach movement grows. Indian police arrested Cockroach movement leaders after they entered Jantar Mantar despite bans, as youth protest electoral roll deletions. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Cockroach Movement Emerges
The Cockroach Janta Party formed after Chief Justice Surya Kant compared India’s unemployed youth to 'cockroaches' and 'parasites of society'.
“cockroaches and parasites of society”
Election Roll Deletions Spark Protests
The Election Commission removed 130 million names from voter lists ahead of state elections, including 30 million untraced and 28 million deceased people.
“130 million names”
Protesters Target Jantar Mantar
CJP supporters and opposition allies gathered at Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century monument near Parliament, to protest electoral roll deletions.
“Jantar Mantar”
Police Crackdown on Protesters
Indian police detained CJP leaders after they defied orders to stay away from Jantar Mantar, despite protests continuing.
“defied orders”
Modi Defends Democracy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India as a 'mother of democracy' during a Bloomberg summit address in New Delhi.
“mother of democracy”
UN Condemns Crackdown
The UN human rights office demanded India ensure the right to peaceful assembly after police cracked down on thousands of protesters.
“right to peaceful assembly”
CJP Calls for Election Commission Resignation
The Cockroach movement demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign over electoral roll deletions.
“resignation”
Protesters Reclaim Jantar Mantar
CJP members entered Jantar Mantar to 'reclaim' it from Modi’s control, showing protests will continue despite government crackdowns.
“reclaim”
CJP Leader’s Statement
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated: 'Delhi is once again flooded with people standing up to save democracy. If Modi thinks taking away Jantar Mantar will put an end to protests, he is mistaken.'
“Delhi is once again flooded with people standing up to save democracy”
Government Bans Protests
Indian authorities declared protests could no longer be held at Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century monument near Parliament.
“Jantar Mantar”
Protesters Adapt Strategy
CJP supporters and opposition allies found alternative streets to gather in numbers estimated to top several thousand.
“several thousand”
What to remember
Indian police arrested Cockroach movement leaders after they entered Jantar Mantar despite bans, as youth protest electoral roll deletions.
