RismadarVoice Reporters
October 10, 2026
Indian authorities have reportedly detained more than 1,000 people, including opposition figures, journalists, lawyers and student activists, ahead of planned demonstrations in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in the country’s voter registration system.
The protests, scheduled for Saturday, October 10, were organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other youth groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The organisers oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral registers, which critics claim could disenfranchise eligible voters and influence future elections.
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rejected allegations that the exercise is being used to manipulate electoral outcomes.
Security personnel reportedly restricted access to Jantar Mantar, the designated protest venue in central New Delhi, while police and paramilitary officers were deployed across several parts of the capital.
Reports also indicated disruptions to transport services, the closure of some public facilities and restrictions on mobile internet access.
Among those reportedly detained was CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, alongside associates Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, following their arrival in New Delhi from Mumbai.
Videos circulated online appeared to show police officers entering an aircraft to take Dipke into custody. The circumstances of the reported arrests have not been independently established.
Other individuals named in reports of the detentions included political activist Yogendra Yadav, lawyer Prashant Bhushan, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya and digital content creator Dhruv Rathee.
Despite restrictions around the main protest venue, smaller demonstrations were reportedly held in other parts of the city.
Some journalists attempting to cover the gatherings were also reportedly detained, raising concerns about press freedom and the right to peaceful assembly.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the security response, accusing the authorities of attempting to suppress political dissent.
He maintained that arrests and restrictions would not prevent citizens from raising concerns about electoral transparency.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, however, rejected the protesters’ position and questioned the level of public support for the demonstrations.
Human rights organisations also reportedly expressed concern over the detentions.
Amnesty International India called for the release of individuals held solely for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and expression, while the Committee to Protect Journalists urged authorities to allow media workers to report without interference.
The controversy centres on India’s ongoing revision of electoral registers, an exercise that opposition groups argue requires stronger safeguards against the wrongful exclusion of eligible voters.
The BJP has denied allegations of political interference in the process.
The reported detentions have intensified debate over electoral accountability, civil liberties and the treatment of political protesters ahead of upcoming state elections.
The allegations concerning voter manipulation remain disputed, and no judicial finding establishing the claims was identified in the material available for this report.
