India’s ‘cockroach’ movement chief detained ahead of major protest

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke (centre) gestures during a protest demanding the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-roll irregularities at Freedom Park in Bengaluru October 8, 2026. — AFP pic

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Summary

• Indian police detained Abhijeet Dipke, head of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, before a major protest in New Delhi.
• Dipke and two other party leaders were detained before disembarking from a flight.
• The demonstration was planned against the Election Commission.

First Published: Saturday, 10 Oct 2026 2:35 PM MYT

NEW DELHI, Oct 10 — Indian police detained today Abhijeet Dipke, head of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, ahead of a major protest against the Election Commission, the party said.

Dipke and two other leaders were detained before disembarking from a flight in the capital New Delhi, where the demonstration was due to take place, the CJP said in a social media post. — AFP