Young Indians protest voter list review they say threatens voting rights

Young people in India, including members of the “Cockroach” youth movement, protested in New Delhi on Saturday.

They oppose a review of voter lists that has removed more than 130 million names since last year.

Critics say the review favors Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party and could prevent millions more people from voting.

The Election Commission says the review is needed to remove duplicate and ineligible entries.

Police used barricades and detained or chased away demonstrators, while videos of officers confronting protesters spread online.

The dispute has raised concerns about the right to vote and the strength of India’s democratic institutions.

Protesters have called for election chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign, and one student said they would return to make their voices heard.