Tens of Thousands of Security Personnel Deployed in Delhi Ahead of Cockroach Janata Party Protest
Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed across various parts of India’s capital, Delhi, ahead of a major protest scheduled for Saturday by the Janata Cockroach Party (CJP) led by Genji. Demonstrators are demanding electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The chief commissioner faces allegations of removing a large number of voters from the electoral rolls. However, the Election Commission of India has denied these accusations, and the chief commissioner has yet to comment on calls for his resignation.
Despite police claims that permission for the protest has not been granted, CJP leaders have vowed to gather at Jantar Mantar. On Saturday morning, CJP founder Abhijit Deepak stated that even if he is arrested during the protest, their struggle for a free and fair election will continue. “I wonder why the Prime Minister is so afraid of the youth of this country? Why was it necessary to shut down all railway services and metro stations? He has already ordered the closure of internet and transportation services,” Deepak said.
CJP co-coordinator Ashutosh Rangka expressed confidence that they are making history. “Dear Cockroaches! I am proud of the long journey we have undertaken. No matter what happens, we will surely make history,” he posted on X. “Remember, you must hold the constitution in your hands and Gandhi in your heart. Whatever happens, we will not raise our hands in surrender. Long live Mother India.”
Along with CJP founder Deepak, notable figures such as senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, social and political activist Yogendra Yadav, AISAKI president Neha Bora, and popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathi have also called upon people to join the protest. In anticipation of the CJP demonstration, more than 250 train services operating to and from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations have been canceled. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the Railway Board decided to cancel passenger trains scheduled to depart after 2 p.m. on October 9.
Furthermore, railway officials have announced that trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 a.m. and 2 p.m. on October 10 will also be canceled. The decision to cancel numerous train services has drawn criticism regarding the inconvenience caused to thousands of passengers. Former railway officials, passenger organizations, and employee unions have voiced their disapproval. Former Railway Board member Subodh Jain commented, “Canceling such a large number of train services is tantamount to surrendering to the protesters.” Shivgopal Mishra, general secretary of the All India Railway Employees Federation, also criticized the decision. “I do not recall train services being canceled in such large numbers anywhere in the country due to protests or movements before,” he told PTI. He added that the sudden cancellations have caused significant hardship for thousands of passengers. Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced that entry and exit points at 45 metro stations have been closed.