Cockroach movement alleges detentions ahead of Delhi rally

The Cockroach youth movement says authorities have detained members and supporters across India ahead of a planned October 10 protest in Delhi, including students travelling from Pune. The allegations have not been independently verified, and police did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ashutosh Ranka, a spokesperson for the movement, said in a post on X that at least 10,000 people had been detained. The figure, he said, included people connected to Cockroach Janta Party demonstrations, student organisations, affiliated grassroots groups and political parties, not only party members. The movement’s account is the source of the estimate. The group also said students from Pune travelling to the rally had been detained and taken by bus to an unknown location. Videos posted on X showed people described as activists being taken away in vans, but the videos and the movement’s claims could not immediately be verified. The available reporting did not establish the number detained or where those people were taken.