Crowds throng New Delhi and wave Indian flags amid escalating protests

Key Points:

• Thousands of protesters gathered in New Delhi's Connaught Place demanding the resignation of election chief Gyanesh Kumar amid controversy over the removal of over 130 million names from voter lists, which critics say disproportionately affects minorities and is politically motivated.
• The protests, led by the youth "Cockroach" movement founded by Abhijeet Dipke—who was detained by police ahead of the rally—reflect widespread public anger and increasing pressure on the Election Commission and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
• Authorities responded with a heavy police presence, closed nearby Central Park, and discouraged large gatherings, while Modi's administration denied allegations of voter suppression and dismissed protesters as anarchists allegedly backed by foreign powers.
• The "Cockroach" movement, originating as an online satirical campaign in response to a derogatory remark by India's chief justice, has grown into a significant nationwide youth-led protest force, previously contributing to the resignation of Modi's education minister.
• Despite the mounting demonstrations and public dissent, Prime Minister Modi has not publicly addressed the protests, highlighting ongoing tensions between the government and opposition groups over electoral reforms.