India’s “Cockroach” youth movement has called for fresh protests in Mumbai on Friday, demanding the resignation of the country’s chief election commissioner over controversial changes to voter lists.
The movement, which started as an online campaign and now calls itself the Cockroach Janata Party, forced India’s education minister to resign in July following street protests. Friday’s rally in Mumbai is expected to mark the beginning of a new nationwide protest campaign.
Separately, a coalition of student and civil society organizations planned to hold a demonstration Friday at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest venue in New Delhi, making the same demand.
The protests come as pressure grows on India’s Election Commission, which is responsible for conducting elections across the country. Opposition parties and critics accuse the commission of changing voter registrations in ways they say could benefit the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The commission and the government have denied the allegations.
Election Commission faces reported internal disagreement
The Indian Express reported last month that two of the three election commissioners had formally raised objections to several decisions concerning voter list revisions, registration procedures and the commission’s digital systems.
The newspaper reported that the two commissioners questioned the legality of some of the decisions, but Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar rejected their concerns. Under Indian law, the three-member Election Commission makes decisions by majority vote.
The commission disputed the report, saying it reflected “differing views and deliberations” among the commissioners rather than formal written objections.
Voter revisions remove millions of names
The voter list revisions began last year in the eastern state of Bihar ahead of state elections and have since been expanded to most Indian states and federally administered territories.
The process, known as Special Intensive Revision, has faced criticism over the documents required to prove voter eligibility. Critics say the requirements are confusing and difficult for many people to meet, potentially leaving millions without registration and unable to vote.
Election Commission data indicates that voter lists in some areas could decline by as much as 30%.
The commission says the revisions are intended to remove duplicate and ineligible entries while ensuring that all eligible voters remain registered. Opposition parties and activists, however, say the process could exclude legitimate voters. They have also accused Chief Election Commissioner Kumar of political bias and alleged that the revisions could benefit Modi’s party.
The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the allegations.
‘Cockroach’ movement broadens its political agenda
The youth movement emerged earlier this year amid anger over high youth unemployment and leaked examination papers and has since developed into a broader political force.
Led by Abhijeet Dipke, the movement gained national attention by organizing large protests over examination paper leaks. The demonstrations eventually led to the resignation of India’s education minister, marking a major political setback for Modi’s government.
Since then, the movement has expanded its focus beyond education to issues including government accountability and democratic institutions.