India releases ‘cockroach’ leaders as movement calls for more protests

Security personnel detain Cockroach Janata Party leader and member of Parliament John Brittas (center) during a protest demanding the resignation of Indian Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter roll irregularities, near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday. | AFP-JIJI

AFP-JIJI, BLOOMBERG

Oct 11, 2026

New Delhi – The leaders of India’s youth-led online “cockroach” movement were released Sunday, their lawyer said, a day after they were detained to thwart a major protest against the election commissioner.

Thousands of protesters were detained before Saturday’s planned demonstration in New Delhi, according to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which called on supporters to keep taking to the streets despite strict security measures.

Saturday’s rally was meant to be the culmination of weeks of opposition mobilization following allegations of misconduct during a nationwide voter roll revision, demanding the resignation of the head of the Election Commission of India.

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