Story perspectives

Police detain thousands as Delhi seals “Cockroach” protest

By Drooid · Oct 11, 2026, 2:04 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Mass Transit Shutdown

On October 10, 2026, Indian police sealed central Delhi and detained thousands of “Cockroach” movement protesters demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The government said the rally lacked permission and ordered closure of 57 metro stations, cancellation of long-distance trains and a 4-km mobile-internet shutdown.
The Special Intensive Revision removed over 130 million names, targeting duplicate or ineligible entries.
Rahul Gandhi was briefly detained while marching toward Jantar Mantar.

Left

Journalist Harassment Allegations

On October 10 2026, Indian police sealed central Delhi and detained thousands of “Cockroach” movement protesters demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Three female journalists later alleged that police officers sexually harassed them while they were detained during the crackdown.
Police stopped buses, cars and deployed anti-riot vehicles equipped with tear-gas launchers.
Opposition parties say the voter-roll revision, which removed over 130 million names, disproportionately disenfranchises Muslim voters.

History

Historical Context

On 25 June 1975 President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, on Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s advice, declared a national Emergency that suspended civil liberties, censored the press and imprisoned over 100,000 opponents. The current Delhi crackdown on the “Cockroach” movement, including sealing central districts and arresting leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, echoes that 1975 suspension of democratic safeguards.

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Mass Transit Shutdown

On October 10, 2026, Indian police sealed central Delhi and detained thousands of “Cockroach” movement protesters demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The government said the rally lacked permission and ordered closure of 57 metro stations, cancellation of long-distance trains and a 4-km mobile-internet shutdown.
The Special Intensive Revision removed over 130 million names, targeting duplicate or ineligible entries.
Rahul Gandhi was briefly detained while marching toward Jantar Mantar.

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