India releases 'cockroach' leaders as protests over election chief continue

· Politics · India

Indian police detained hundreds of protesters in Delhi for a second day on Sunday as protests demanded the resignation of the country's top election official, while a court ordered the release of "cockroach" movement founder Abhijeet Dipke and two other senior leaders. The released leaders vowed to continue their campaign. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across New Delhi, though metro stations reopened and mobile internet services were restored. More than 2,000 people had been detained. The movement has mounted one of the most serious challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in years.

Why it matters：The youth-led protests and mass detentions test India's democratic institutions and the government's handling of dissent ahead of national politics.

Key points

  • A court ordered the release of movement founder Abhijeet Dipke and two other leaders.
  • More than 2,000 people had been detained.
  • Metro stations reopened and mobile internet was restored in New Delhi.

Sources (original reporting)

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