Dhruv Rathee Among 1,000 Detained in Delhi Ahead of Cockroach Party Protest
Indian YouTuber and influencer Dhruv Rathee was among at least 1,000 people detained by police in New Delhi ahead of a planned protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest was scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, at Jantar Mantar in the Indian capital. Rathee was reportedly detained early Saturday in Gurugram, a city near New Delhi, as he was expected to join the demonstration.
Police detained around 150 people in Connaught Place on Saturday after they allegedly attempted to break through security barricades and reach Jantar Mantar. Authorities had also conducted overnight raids across New Delhi and surrounding areas on Friday, detaining nearly 1,000 people, according to the report.
Security was tightened across the capital ahead of the planned demonstration. More than 25,000 police personnel and over 300 cameras were reportedly deployed, while 12 detention facilities were prepared at various locations to accommodate those detained during the protest.
The CJP had sought police permission to hold the demonstration, but authorities rejected the request, citing administrative requirements, previous law-and-order concerns, the expected large gathering and potential disruptions to security and traffic.
Authorities also imposed restrictions on public meetings and assemblies under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Reacting to the security measures, CJP senior organiser Abhijit Deepke sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his central government. In a social media post on Saturday, Deepke alleged that the government had resorted to widespread repression against protesters and effectively placed Delhi under lockdown even before the demonstration began.
He argued that the measures reflected fear of public dissent rather than strength.
The planned demonstration has drawn attention to tensions surrounding the demand for the chief election commissioner’s resignation and the authorities’ response to the proposed protest.
