NEW DELHI (Web Desk) - 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 released from detention, as authorities sought to thwart major demonstrations in New Delhi.
The rallies in the capital come after weeks of opposition mobilization following allegations of misconduct during a nationwide voter roll revision that critics say could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party.
The Election Commission of India, which 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 released 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, told reporters after his release.
“We urge people to come out and carry out peaceful protests,” he added, vowing to continue until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
Smaller rallies took place in Delhi on Sunday. Dozens of protesters were detained near Jantar Mantar, which remained blocked off, AFP journalists witnessed.
Police have not commented on the detentions.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said at least 16 journalists had also been detained, calling the police actions “unacceptable.”
“Covering events of public interest is not a crime,” RSF said in a statement. “It is their job.”
In July, protests organized by the CJP over exam irregularities forced the resignation of the education minister, marking a rare climbdown by Modi’s administration.