India
oi-Ashish Rana
Slogans echoed across parts of New Delhi on Saturday as police cracked down on the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. From protesters attempting to regroup to a demonstrator wearing a cockroach-antennae helmet, the demonstration unfolded amid tight security, with around 500 people detained.
On Saturday in New Delhi, police detained around 500 individuals associated with the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, preventing demonstrators from gathering at Jantar Mantar.
Slogans Ring Out As Police Prevent Gathering
The protest was scheduled to begin at 10.30 am, but security personnel stopped participants from reaching Jantar Mantar, where prohibitory orders remain in force. Police had earlier denied permission for the demonstration.
Several protesters were picked up near Regal Cinema in Connaught Place, while others were asked to leave. Those who tried to assemble elsewhere were pursued by police personnel.
A group of around 10 to 20 demonstrators reached near Shivaji Stadium Metro Station and began marching along the road. They raised slogans against the police, including “Your children will be suffering too”.
Police personnel ran towards a protester after he moved into the middle of the road and started shouting slogans. Meanwhile, buses carrying detained protesters were seen leaving the area.
Some detainees continued raising “Inquilab Zindabad” slogans from inside the buses, while others displayed their press cards as they were taken away.
Man Wears Cockroach-Antennae Helmet
Amid the security restrictions, a Delhi resident working in the private information technology sector found his own way to express solidarity with the protest. Anand, walking alone on a footpath near Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, had modified his helmet to resemble the antennae of a cockroach.
“This is my own way of paying a tribute to the CJP and opposition alliance leader because what the current dispensation is doing is not in line with what the government should ideally be doing,” he told PTI.
He said the heavy security presence was curtailing freedom of expression and people’s fundamental rights.
Protesters Compare Security With International Border
Some people stayed on the sidelines to avoid being detained but said they supported the protesters and their cause.
Md Asif, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur, said he had come to the area two days earlier, anticipating the police action, and compared the security arrangement with those at the international border.
“This is not even looking like its national capital. It looks like they have made an India-Pakistan border here,” he said.
Police Conduct Flag March Near Jantar Mantar
Several protesters, including women, were chased and detained as they attempted to regroup at different locations. A few agitators also entered a gurdwara in the area amid the police action.
Senior police officers remained present on the ground and monitored the situation. Police personnel were deployed at key intersections and approach roads to prevent gatherings near Jantar Mantar, while security forces also carried out a flag march and appealed to people to comply with the prohibitory orders.
