Indian court releases 'cockroach' movement leaders from detention

Indian court releases 'cockroach' movement leaders from detention. AFP Published October 11, 2026 Updated October 11, 2026 11: 44pm.

Key points

• Critics say the measure has disproportionately affected minorities, particularly Muslims, potentially benefiting Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
• "We urge people to come out and carry out peaceful protests, " he continued, vowing to continue until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
• Reporters Without Borders (RSF) remarked at least 16 journalists had additionally been detained, calling the police actions "unacceptable".
• The Supreme Court, hearing petitions challenging Saturday's detentions and other security measures, directed the authorities to ensure protesters gathering peacefully were not detained illegally.
• "Detention shall only be after following a legal procedure, " Justice Joymalya Bagchi remarked in oral remarks.

As authorities sought to thwart major demonstrations in New Delhi, leaders of India's youth-led "cockroach" movement on Sunday pledged to press on with protests against the country's election commissioner, hours after they were published from detention.

For context, the rallies in the capital come after weeks of opposition mobilisation after allegations of misconduct during a nationwide voter roll revision that critics say could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party.

Notably, the Election Commission of India. It oversees the voting process in the world's most populous nation, has denied wrongdoing.

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), and two other leaders were published Sunday, one day after they were detained when they landed in New Delhi to take part in a protest at the Jantar Mantar site in the heart of the city.

Thousands of protesters have been detained since Saturday, according to the group and media reports.

"We will not back down, " Saurav Das, another top CJP leader, remarked to journalists after his release.

Smaller rallies took place in Delhi on Sunday. Dozens of protesters were detained near Jantar Mantar. It remained blocked off, AFP journalists witnessed. Police have not commented on the detentions.

"Covering events of public interest is not a crime, " RSF remarked in an official note. "It is their job."

In July, protests organised by the CJP over exam irregularities forced the resignation of the education minister, marking a rare climbdown by Modi's administration.

Ahead of Saturday's rally, authorities mounted a sweeping security operation throughout the capital, shutting down metro stations and more than 200 trains while imposing a ban on public gatherings in a number of areas.

Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel remained deployed on Sunday, but metro stations reopened and previously restricted mobile services were restored.

"I was detained for 10 hours yesterday, " remarked Aarti, 37. This person provided only one name. "I have come again today because it is important to show up."

Meanwhile, the protest leaders were published on the condition that they would maintain "peace for one year", Ratna Singh, the CJP's head lawyer, stated in a social media post.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, hearing petitions challenging Saturday's detentions and other security measures, directed the authorities to ensure protesters gathering peacefully were not detained illegally.

For context, the court additionally ordered authorities to ensure there was no disruption to internet connectivity as seen on Saturday. 'An embarrassment to India'.

For context, the CJP has emerged as one of the most significant political challenges to Modi during his third term in power, winning millions of followers on social media since it was introduced in May as a satirical party.

Shortly after his release, the CJP's Dipke took aim at Modi, calling him "an embarrassment to India".

"Never has this country seen a bigger coward and bully, " he remarked in a social media post.

Meanwhile, the revision of voter rolls resulted in more than 133 million names being removed from electoral lists, according to media reports.

Election authorities say the move was aimed at eliminating duplicate, deceased and fraudulent entries.

For context, the detention of protesters on Saturday triggered sharp criticism and accusations that Modi's administration was stifling dissent.

Notably, the UN human rights office pressed the immediate and unconditional release of all those "arbitrarily detained" in Delhi – a comment the Indian administration called "misplaced".

Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress party, remarked he was planning to march to the Supreme Court on Monday with "every single person who believes in democracy".

"There is nothing to fear, " he remarked on social media. "These cowards can do absolutely nothing to us. ".

For now, indian court releases ' cockroach' movement leaders from detention remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.