New Delhi Shuts Down Internet and Transport to Curb Massive Youth Protests

Indian police imposed strict security measures in New Delhi on Saturday, including partial lockdowns, transport suspensions, and mobile internet shutdowns, to curb a large-scale youth protest. Security forces arrested dozens of demonstrators in the capital's central business district, deploying thousands of officers at entry points and conducting rigorous checks on vehicles.

Crackdown on Youth Protests

The protest was organized by a youth movement calling itself the Cockroach Janta Party under the slogan "Save Democracy." Demonstrators planned to gather at the Jantar Mantar complex in central New Delhi to demand the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Preventive measures included closing metro stations, blocking major roads with concrete barricades, and deploying riot control vehicles.

"Why is the prime minister so afraid of the country's youth that he has to shut down transport and cut off the internet?" asked Abhijit Dipke, founder of the movement.

Voter List Controversy

At the center of public outrage is a report by The Indian Express revealing that approximately 130 million names were deleted from voter rolls. Opposition parties and protesters allege this was coordinated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling BJP party to rig upcoming regional elections in 2027. Election officials defended the process, stating the deletions involved deceased individuals, relocated citizens, and unverified records.