Indian Activist Arrested Ahead of Protest Demanding Election Chief's Resignation
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online 'cockroach' movement, was detained along with thousands of others as they called for electoral reforms and the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
Activist Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the online 'cockroach' movement, was among approximately 2,000 people arrested in New Delhi on Saturday ahead of a protest. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner and other electoral reforms.
Dipke, 31, was detained by police shortly after arriving in the capital. He was scheduled to lead the rally. The Cockroach Janta Party, which Dipke founded and which has gained millions of online followers, is calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down.
In a video shared on social media before his arrest, Dipke stated, "This is a dictatorship." He added, "We are not afraid of you. Go ahead and arrest us. Victory to Mother India! Long live the revolution."
Two other leaders of the Cockroach Party were reportedly detained while en route to Delhi. The party's demands have gained traction among opposition parties and critics who have raised concerns about alleged misconduct by the Election Commission.
The movement, which has drawn thousands of young supporters to protests, emerged after Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly compared young critics of the government to "cockroaches" and "parasites." In response, Dipke, an alumnus of Boston University, posted on X: "What if all cockroaches come together?"
Dipke expressed surprise at the Chief Justice's remarks, questioning how the "custodian of the constitution" could equate young people expressing opinions with derogatory terms. The movement's online presence grew rapidly, particularly among Gen Z supporters disillusioned by issues such as unemployment, examination scandals, and a perceived lack of institutional integrity.
Supporters of the 'cockroach' movement have stated that the label has become a symbol for a generation that feels unheard and disregarded by those in power.
