Archive · 11 Oct 2026
CJP Protesters Detained as Delhi Security Tightens
The Cockroach Janata Party held protests in Delhi for a second day on Sunday.
Protesters wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged problems with changes to voter lists.
They tried to march toward Jantar Mantar from several places.
Police detained many demonstrators, including politician John Brittas and members of student groups.
Some protesters and the SFI said people were hurt or treated roughly.
More than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel were reported deployed across Delhi.
Reports gave slightly different estimates of Sunday’s detentions, while more than 7,000 detentions were reported on Saturday.
Opposition parties said they planned to march to the Supreme Court on Monday and submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India.
Protesters, including CPI(M) MP John Brittas and student-group members, were detained on Sunday while marching toward Jantar Mantar.
The second day of the CJP-led demonstration included marches from Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, RK Ashram Marg and other locations.
The CJP and opposition parties demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities.
SFI and other protesters alleged assaults and injuries during detentions; police accounts cited in the reports did not address those claims.
Reports put Sunday detentions at more than 100 or around 100 by afternoon; over 7,000 were reported detained on Saturday, and the INDIA bloc announced a Monday march to the Supreme Court.
- Who
- Cockroach Janata Party supporters, CPI(M) MP John Brittas, student groups including SFI, AISA and KYS, and opposition parties.
- What
- Protesters were detained while marching toward Jantar Mantar; opposition parties also announced a Monday march to the Supreme Court.
- When
- Sunday, October 11, 2026; the protest’s second day. The INDIA bloc announced its march for Monday.
- Where
- New Delhi, including Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk and RK Ashram Marg, with protesters heading toward Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- Protesters demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s functioning.
Protesters’ claims and demands
Police actions and reported response
Treatment during detentions
Protesters’ claims and demands
Some detained protesters alleged they were manhandled. SFI said its members and leaders were attacked, that Adarsh M Saji had a bleeding forehead, and that leaders were assaulted inside police vans. It also alleged John Brittas was attacked and Father Biju Xavier was arrested while recording police conduct.
Police actions and reported response
Reports describe security personnel detaining and moving protesters toward buses amid heavy security intended to prevent access to Jantar Mantar. They do not provide a police response to these allegations.
Reason for the protest
Protesters’ claims and demands
The CJP and opposition parties said they were protesting alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision and the Election Commission’s functioning, and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police actions and reported response
Police maintained extensive security arrangements to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar. The reports do not include an official response to the protesters’ allegations.
Detention totals
Protesters’ claims and demands
One report stated that more than 100 protesters were detained on Sunday.
Police actions and reported response
Police sources cited in another report said the citywide total could reach around 100 by afternoon; the reports differ in how they characterize the Sunday count.
- Protest organiser
- Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)
- Main demand
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation
- Stated basis
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s functioning
- Sunday detentions
- One report said more than 100 protesters were detained; police sources in another said the citywide count could reach around 100 by afternoon.
- Saturday detentions
- More than 7,000 protesters were reported detained at multiple locations.
- Security deployment
- More than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel were reported deployed across Delhi.
- Planned opposition action
- The INDIA bloc said it would march to the Supreme Court on Monday and submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India.
- Police cases
- Delhi Police registered 20 FIRs in connection with the protests on Sunday.
Sources
Several protesters detained on second day of CJP stir in Delhi
Several protesters detained on second day of CJP stir in Delhi
CJP hardens stand on SIR issue; INDIA bloc to meet CJI, hold protest march
Delhi Police detain over 100 CJP protesters on day two of march despite SC bar on illegal detention
