Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Delhi Detains Thousands as CJP Protest Sparks Political Backlash
The Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest in Delhi about changes to voter lists.
It wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police stopped many people from reaching the protest site and detained thousands.
Reports disagree on the exact number, saying about 6,000 or more than 7,000.
The party’s leaders were reported to remain in custody, although many other people were released later.
Metro station entrances were shut for a time, and train and road travel were disrupted.
Opposition politicians criticised the action, while BJP leaders defended it.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said people should be allowed to protest.
The Supreme Court scheduled a hearing about claims that transport restrictions broke its earlier direction.
The Cockroach Janta Party called a protest over alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revisions and demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
Reports gave differing detention totals: about 6,000 by 7 p.m. in one account and more than 7,000 in others; CJP leaders were reported still detained.
Delhi imposed extensive security restrictions, including barricades, traffic diversions and closures at 45 Metro stations; one report said more than 250 trains were cancelled until 2 p.m.
Opposition leaders criticised the detentions, while BJP leaders said the protest sought to destabilise the country and defended the police operation.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar called the detentions an insult to democracy; the Supreme Court scheduled a Sunday hearing on a contempt plea over alleged transport restrictions.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party, its supporters, Delhi Police, opposition politicians and BJP leaders.
- What
- A CJP protest over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities was prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar, with thousands detained and transport restrictions imposed.
- When
- The protest took place on Saturday; Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar commented on Sunday, when the Supreme Court scheduled a special hearing.
- Where
- Delhi, including routes to Jantar Mantar and the airport; Shivakumar made his remarks in Bengaluru.
- Why
- The CJP alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
Criticism of the detentions
Defence of the police action
Protest rights and detentions
Criticism of the detentions
Opposition figures, including D K Shivakumar, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, criticised the detentions and restrictions as an attack on democratic rights. The United Nations Human Rights Office also urged authorities to respect assembly rights and release those allegedly arbitrarily detained.
Defence of the police action
BJP leaders described the protest as an attempt to destabilise the country. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said people may dissent but should not spread anarchy.
Electoral-roll revision
Criticism of the detentions
The CJP alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision and demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation; Shivakumar also alleged voter names had been removed in Karnataka.
Defence of the police action
The reports describe the allegations and political responses but do not provide a detailed response from the Election Commission to the claims.
Detention totals
Criticism of the detentions
Some reports said more than 7,000 people were detained, and opposition voices condemned the scale of the operation.
Defence of the police action
Another report put the count at about 6,000 by 7 p.m.; reports differed on the total, while describing most or all non-CJP detainees as later released.
- Reported detentions
- One report cited about 6,000 detainees by 7 p.m.; other reports said more than 7,000.
- CJP leaders
- Abhijeet Dipke, Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were reported detained and still being held.
- Former chief ministers
- Reports named Pinarayi Vijayan, Manik Sarkar, Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee among those detained.
- Metro restrictions
- Gates at 45 Metro stations were closed; one report said they reopened after a 25-hour closure.
- Rail cancellations
- More than 250 trains serving New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin were reported cancelled until 2 p.m.
- Security deployment
- One report cited around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel; another said more than 30,000 security personnel.
- Court hearing
- The Supreme Court scheduled a Sunday hearing on a contempt plea concerning alleged restrictions on public transport.
- Further protests
- The CJP said it planned to march to Jantar Mantar again on Sunday; Shivakumar said Congress would hold its own protest.
