Indian authorities detained thousands of protesters and imposed sweeping security restrictions across New Delhi on Saturday as the youth-led “Cockroach” movement intensified its campaign against a controversial voter list revision, fuelling criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and election authorities.

Police intercepted demonstrators heading to Jantar Mantar, detaining activists, opposition lawmakers and movement leaders before the rally began. Barricades, checkpoints, tear gas-equipped vehicles and mobile internet restrictions were deployed across the capital. Police said permission was denied because organisers applied late.

Movement leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained after arriving from Mumbai. Opposition lawmaker John Brittas was also detained, while journalists faced restrictions.

The movement condemned the arrests as an attempt to suppress peaceful protests. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sambit Patra dismissed the demonstration as a failure.

The protests oppose the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision, which has removed more than 130 million names from voter lists. Opposition parties allege eligible voters, particularly their supporters, have been disproportionately affected. The commission and government deny manipulating voter lists, saying the exercise removes duplicate and ineligible entries.

The movement gained prominence through protests over alleged examination paper leaks, prompting Modi’s education minister to resign in July. The latest unrest challenges Modi midway through his third term, ahead of state elections next year in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. National elections are scheduled for 2029.

Clarify the voter-list figureUse more neutral protest wording