CJP protest in Delhi presses election chief to resign

The Cockroach Janta Party’s October 10 protest in Delhi demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation took place amid heavy security and restrictions on transport. The party cited alleged irregularities in the Election Commission of India’s revision of voter rolls. Police had not authorized a rally at Jantar Mantar, the usual designated protest site. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the capital, and barricades blocked roads leading to the protest area. Delhi Police cited insufficient advance notice and concerns about public order and compliance with conditions from previous protests in refusing permission, according to reports. CJP organizers said they intended to proceed with the demonstration. The Supreme Court said public transport should not be completely halted. Following that intervention, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation reduced planned restrictions from 57 stations to 45. The restrictions were scheduled to run from 9 p.m. on October 9 until 6 p.m. on October 10. A separate report said 245 trains starting from or reaching Delhi were cancelled.