Political situation in India

Student protests in India flare up again

Thousands of demonstrators from the student-led protest movement known as the "Cockroach Party" have gathered in Mumbai, India, *The Guardian* reports.

They are demanding the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This follows media reports of internal alarms and concerns regarding a new process for revising India's electoral rolls, which has resulted in tens of millions of names being removed from the lists.

Critics argue that the process disadvantages poor, marginalized voters—particularly Muslims—in order to bolster Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Hindu-nationalist BJP party.

The "Cockroach Party" was formed in May. The name alludes to India's Solicitor General Surya Kant, who has referred to certain activists and unemployed youths as "cockroaches" and "parasites on society."

At least 700 arrested during protests in New Delhi

In addition to Mumbai, young demonstrators have gathered in India's capital, New Delhi, where over 700 people have been arrested, Bloomberg reports.

Authorities have imposed restrictions on public gatherings in the city and closed eleven metro stations ahead of the demonstrations.

The protesters are demanding the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following the revision of India's electoral rolls—a process that critics say has resulted in the removal of millions of voters.