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NEW DELHI: Leaders of India\u2019s youth-led \u201ccockroach\u201d movement on Sunday pledged to press on with protests against the country\u2019s election commissioner, hours after they were released from detention, as authorities sought to thwart major demonstrations in New Delhi.<\/p>\n
The rallies in the capital come after weeks of opposition mobilization following allegations of misconduct during a nationwide voter roll revision that critics say could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s ruling party.<\/p>\n
The Election Commission of India, which oversees the voting process in the world\u2019s most populous nation, has denied wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), and two other leaders were released Sunday, one day after they were detained when they landed in New Delhi to take part in a protest at the Jantar Mantar site in the heart of the city.<\/p>\n
Thousands of protesters have been detained since Saturday, according to the group and media reports.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will not back down,\u201d Saurav Das, another top CJP leader, told reporters after his release.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe urge people to come out and carry out peaceful protests,\u201d he added, vowing to continue until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns.<\/p>\n
Smaller rallies took place in Delhi on Sunday. Dozens of protesters were detained near Jantar Mantar, which remained blocked off, AFP journalists witnessed.<\/p>\n
Police have not commented on the detentions.<\/p>\n
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said at least 16 journalists had also been detained, calling the police actions \u201cunacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCovering events of public interest is not a crime,\u201d RSF said in a statement. \u201cIt is their job.\u201d<\/p>\n
In July, protests organized by the CJP over exam irregularities forced the resignation of the education minister, marking a rare climbdown by Modi\u2019s administration.<\/p>\n
\u2018IMPORTANT TO SHOW UP\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Ahead of Saturday\u2019s rally, authorities mounted a sweeping security operation across the capital, shutting down metro stations and more than 200 trains while imposing a ban on public gatherings in several areas.<\/p>\n Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel remained deployed on Sunday, but metro stations reopened and previously restricted mobile services were restored.<\/p>\n \u201cI was detained for 10 hours yesterday,\u201d said Aarti, 37, who gave only one name. \u201cI have come again today because it is important to show up.\u201d<\/p>\n The protest leaders were released on the condition that they would maintain \u201cpeace for one year,\u201d Ratna Singh, the CJP\u2019s head lawyer, said in a social media post.<\/p>\n The Supreme Court, hearing petitions challenging Saturday\u2019s detentions and other security measures, directed the authorities to ensure protesters gathering peacefully were not detained illegally.<\/p>\n \u201cDetention shall only be after following a legal procedure,\u201d Justice Joymalya Bagchi said in oral remarks.<\/p>\n The court also ordered authorities to ensure there was no disruption to Internet connectivity as seen on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u2018AN EMBARRASSMENT TO INDIA\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n The CJP has emerged as one of the most significant political challenges to Modi during his third term in power, winning millions of followers on social media since it was launched in May as a satirical party.<\/p>\n Soon after his release, the CJP\u2019s Dipke took aim at Modi, calling him \u201can embarrassment to India.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever has this country seen a bigger coward and bully,\u201d he said in a social media post.<\/p>\n The revision of voter rolls resulted in more than 133 million names being removed from electoral lists, according to media reports.<\/p>\n Critics say the measure has disproportionately affected minorities, particularly Muslims, potentially benefiting Modi\u2019s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.<\/p>\n Election authorities say the move was aimed at eliminating duplicate, deceased and fraudulent entries.<\/p>\n The detention of protesters on Saturday triggered sharp criticism and accusations that Modi\u2019s government was stifling dissent.<\/p>\n The UN human rights office called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those \u201carbitrarily detained\u201d in Delhi \u2014 a comment the Indian government called \u201cmisplaced.\u201d<\/p>\n Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress party, said he was planning to march to the Supreme Court on Monday with \u201cevery single person who believes in democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere is nothing to fear,\u201d he said on social media. \u201cThese cowards can do absolutely nothing to us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n