Police arrest thousands in protests against voter ID cancellations

On the morning of October 10, Indian police detained thousands of protesters in New Delhi and Mumbai. The clashes occurred during protests against the revision of electoral rolls which, last year, canceled approximately 130 million voter registrations.

Reason for the Mobilization

The Cockroach Movement, created by unemployed youth, accuses the Election Commission of annulling valid registrations to benefit the ruling party. The group demands the resignation of the commission's head, Gyanesh Kumar, and an investigation into the voter roll update process.

Detention of Leaders

The movement's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, was approached upon disembarking at New Delhi airport. According to the group itself, two other spokespersons were also detained. The police did not confirm the arrests, but reports indicate that the leaders were prevented from participating in the demonstration.

Scale of the Police Operation

Authorities mobilized around 20,000 police and paramilitaries, closed metro stations, disabled mobile internet access, and installed barricades on major roads. In New Delhi, over 2,000 people were detained; in Mumbai, the repression followed the same pattern.

Street Clashes

Protesters who attempted to breach the barricades threw stones at officers, injuring some police. Injuries among protesters were also reported, including one who appeared with a bleeding head inside a van. The movement responded with the call: “Where the police arrest you, continue the protest.”

Election Commission's Reaction

The Election Commission denies any irregularities in the voter roll revision process. The institution states that the measure aimed to eliminate duplicate registrations, records of deceased individuals, and potential fraud, without discriminatorily excluding voters.

Political Context

The voter roll revision occurs amidst criticism from opposition parties, including the Congress, who allege that the exclusion of voters could favor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Cockroach Movement, although not an official party, has allied with left-wing forces and students protesting against unemployment and leaks of university entrance exams.

With information from G1, Folha de S.Paulo, Gazeta do Povo.