Delhi steps up security ahead of Cockroach Janta Party rally
Police warned of traffic disruption and urged people to avoid a planned flag protest in Connaught Place, as demonstrators pressed for India's election chief to resign.
Delhi stepped up security and police warned of traffic disruption on Friday, October 16, ahead of a Cockroach Janta Party rally planned for that evening at Central Park in Connaught Place. The protest is part of a campaign demanding the resignation of India's chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, Reuters reported.
The youth-led party and left-wing student groups urged supporters to gather in the busy shopping and food district to wave and hoist India's national flag. Delhi Police urged people not to join the assembly. The civic authority said late Thursday that Central Park would close for two days for administrative reasons.
Police said they could facilitate a selected group carrying the flag and singing the national anthem at a suitable location. The measures affect a district where traders have asked the Supreme Court to prevent the protest, saying it would cause severe losses. They also sought compensation for losses they said they suffered during a similar rally planned the previous weekend that a security crackdown foiled.
Why the protesters want Gyanesh Kumar to resign
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke called the event a flag protest in support of two party leaders detained and jailed for five days after demonstrating at a protest site in violation of a ban, Reuters reported. The party, opposition groups and student organisations have held almost daily protests this month demanding Kumar's resignation.
The latest demonstrations followed an Indian Express report that Kumar's two deputies had raised concerns internally about voter-list changes, registration procedures and digital systems, according to Reuters. More than 130 million voters were deleted during the revision, Reuters reported. Critics say the changes favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party; the Election Commission denies favouring any party and says voters wrongly removed can re-enrol. Kumar has denied manipulating the voter list, according to The Daily Star. The BJP has accused its rivals of undermining democracy by questioning electoral processes it considers legitimate.
How India could remove its election chief
Resignation and removal are different routes. The Daily Star reported that Article 324 of India's Constitution protects the chief election commissioner from removal except in the manner and on the grounds applicable to a Supreme Court judge. Its account says a removal motion requires written notice from at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of the Rajya Sabha. The presiding officer can admit or refuse the motion.
If admitted, a committee including a Supreme Court judge, a High Court judge and a legal expert investigates, with the election chief entitled to defend against the allegations, The Daily Star reported. A finding that charges were not proved ends the process. If they are found proved, removal requires a two-thirds majority of members present and voting in both houses before the president issues an order.
Read in depth: World
NOAA winter outlook points to possible drought relief across parts of the southern US
The December-to-February forecast favors wetter conditions across much of the South, but also raises flood risks and points to possible drought deterioration in some areas.
Philippine competition watchdog fines onion traders a record ₱1.76 billion
The commission says six firms and their officers divided parts of the onion market. Its administrative penalty follows years of scrutiny after a sharp price surge.
Sources and context
- Security stepped up in India's capital for 'cockroach' movement rallyReuters, republished by The Straits Times
- What options does Indian law provide for CEC’s removal?The Daily Star, republished by Dawn; by Mohiuddin Alamgir
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.