All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was detained by Delhi Police on Sunday amid continuing protests linked to the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Her detention came amid heightened security in the national capital following Saturday’s demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protests have triggered a wider debate over electoral accountability and the right to peaceful assembly.
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders on Sunday vowed to intensify their agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the Modi government had created an “emergency-like situation” through transport restrictions, curbs on demonstrations and the detention of activists.
CJP co-convenor Saurav Das accused the authorities of turning the state against its own citizens, arguing that the government could have invited a delegation for talks instead of preventing protesters from reaching the designated demonstration site.
“They had illegally detained us. They have said there should be no breach of peace for one year. The breach of peace has been caused by Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar,” Das said, referring to the condition imposed on the leaders following their release.
Reaffirming the party’s determination to continue its campaign, Das said the protests would extend beyond the national capital. “The protests are on... Protests will happen not just in Delhi but the whole country,” he said.
The CJP agitation centres on allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for accountability from the Election Commission. The allegations have been contested, while the police action against protesters has triggered a wider debate over the right to peaceful assembly.
Delhi witnessed heightened security on Saturday ahead of the CJP’s planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Police imposed restrictions at several locations, deployed personnel in large numbers and detained protesters attempting to reach the protest site. Transport disruptions, including restrictions affecting metro and railway services, also drew criticism.
CJP leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained after arriving in Delhi and were subsequently released subject to conditions requiring them to maintain peace for one year.
The Supreme Court intervened on Sunday, directing the authorities to ensure the normal functioning of metro and train services, review barricading arrangements and maintain internet connectivity. The court also stressed the need to protect lawful public movement and peaceful protest.
