Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Delhi Protest Detentions Prompt Wangchuk’s Fast and March Warning
A group called the Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest in Delhi about how voter lists are being checked.
The group wanted the chief election official to resign over alleged problems with the lists.
Police did not allow the gathering, saying there were security concerns and the request came too late.
Police detained many people, including politicians, activists, students and lawyers.
Reports gave different totals, ranging from thousands to more than 3,000.
Sonam Wangchuk called the situation an “undeclared emergency.”
He said he might fast for a long time or lead a march if people were not released by Sunday, October 11.
Police also used barricades and other restrictions in parts of the city.
Election authorities defended their voter-checking exercise, while the BJP rejected claims that it was designed to help the ruling party.
Police detained opposition leaders, activists, students, lawyers and other demonstrators ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party protest planned at Jantar Mantar.
The CJP demonstration sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision and voter registration.
Delhi Police said it denied permission because of security concerns and an application filed on October 7, short of the prescribed 10-day notice period.
Detention counts varied by report: police sources cited about 1,200 people detained overnight and around 500 arriving in groups in the morning; later reports gave totals above 2,000 and more than 3,000.
Sonam Wangchuk called the situation an “undeclared emergency” and said he might consider an indefinite fast or a march if detainees were not released by Sunday, October 11.
- Who
- Delhi Police detained political leaders, activists, students, lawyers and other people; Sonam Wangchuk warned he might fast or march.
- What
- Detentions and security restrictions took place ahead of a proposed CJP protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026; Wangchuk cited Sunday, October 11, as the release deadline.
- Where
- Delhi, with reported detentions also in Gurugram, Chandigarh and Mumbai.
- Why
- The CJP protest concerned alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the handling of Form 6; police cited security concerns and insufficient notice in denying permission.
Critics of the police action
Police and election authorities
Detentions and protest restrictions
Critics of the police action
Wangchuk called the situation an “undeclared emergency”; Arvind Kejriwal and the CJP criticized the detentions and restrictions as suppressing dissent and preventing participation.
Police and election authorities
Delhi Police denied permission, citing security concerns and the application’s failure to meet the prescribed 10-day notice period.
Electoral-roll allegations
Critics of the police action
The CJP and its supporters alleged irregularities in voter rolls, including the SIR and handling of Form 6, and demanded Kumar’s resignation.
Police and election authorities
The Election Commission defended its voter-verification exercise, while the BJP rejected claims that the process was designed to benefit the ruling party.
- Planned venue
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Organiser
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Protest demand
- Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities, including the SIR and handling of Form 6
- Police explanation
- Security concerns and an application submitted on October 7, short of the prescribed 10-day notice period
- Reported detention figures
- Reports cited about 1,200 overnight, approximately 500 arriving in groups in the morning, later totals above 2,000, and more than 3,000
- Wangchuk’s statement
- He called the situation an “undeclared emergency” and said he might consider an indefinite fast or a march if detainees were not released by October 11
- Reported security measures
- Police and paramilitary deployment, barricades, traffic and movement restrictions, and prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in parts of Delhi
Sources
'Undeclared emergency': Sonam Wangchuk threatens fast, padyatra over Delhi detentions
Thousands detained amid police crackdown: What happened in Delhi today
‘Undeclared emergency’: Sonam Wangchuk warns of fast, march if leaders detained in Delhi not released by tomorrow