Indian Police Detain Opposition Leaders During Delhi Protest

Indian police detained opposition leaders and protesters in New Delhi during a demonstration organized by the Cockroach Janta Party against voter-list revisions. Authorities deployed 43,000 police and security personnel, restricted movement across central Delhi, and suspended internet services in parts of the city.

According to police measures reported by DW, roads were barricaded and thousands of protesters were detained as officials attempted to stop an unauthorized rally. The protest targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the voter-roll revision process.

Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and former Delhi chief minister, was among opposition figures detained. Videos released by opposition leaders showed several senior politicians taken into custody in New Delhi.

"It's official... we are living under an absolute dictatorship," wrote Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Kejriwal was detained alongside other opposition figures, including Mamata Banerjee and Pinarayi Vijayan, according to DW. The Election Commission of India rejected allegations of wrongdoing and said the revision aims to remove duplicate and ineligible voters.

"cowardice" called the crackdown Rahul Gandhi, leader of India's opposition Congress party.

Rahul Gandhi also described Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as central figures in the dispute.

"the villains of this story" described Rahul Gandhi, leader of India's opposition Congress party.

"slowly finding the space closing around them. We are closing that space." said Rahul Gandhi, leader of India's opposition Congress party.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticized the government's handling of the demonstrations after the detentions of opposition leaders.

"India is not a democracy anymore. It is a dictatorship being run by Mr. Narendra Modi and Mr. Amit Shah." wrote Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress MP.

The Election Commission of India has said the "special intensive revision" is intended to remove duplicate and ineligible voters, while opposition parties argue the process could affect millions of voters and benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party.

A protester interviewed by DW described efforts to avoid police detention during the crackdown in central Delhi.

"We were running back and forth. When the police are moving forward, we go back. When they are withdrawing, we are moving forward," said the protester interviewed by DW.

The protester said demonstrators and police were moving around the protest area as authorities maintained a large security presence.

"game of perception" said the protester interviewed by DW.

The protester also criticized the number of security personnel deployed compared with the number of demonstrators present.

"Where you have 20 protesters and 10 media persons, there are 100 police personnel standing. It seems like a joke, what they are doing with taxpayers' money," said the protester interviewed by DW.

Another protester, Jasmine, described the attempts by demonstrators to avoid being detained during the police operation.

"We have been playing a game of cat and mouse with the police, trying to stop them from picking us up," said Jasmine, a protester.

Jasmine said demonstrators viewed the ability to protest as a fundamental right and questioned the requirement for government approval.

"I don't think we have ever seen something like this happening. Protesting is a fundamental right… it's such a convoluted idea to take permission to protest… you are protesting against a government, will you ask permission from the same government? They are not going to give it," said Jasmine, a protester.

Ajinkya Shinde took responsibility for leading the Cockroach Janta Party protest after other party leaders were detained and urged supporters to continue moving toward Jantar Mantar.

"We appeal to everyone to march towards Jantar Mantar! If Delhi Police tries to stop you, wherever they stop you will become your Jantar Mantar," said Ajinkya Shinde, protest leader.