The political situation in India

Iconic protest site closed: "Attempt to stifle dissent"

For over three decades, the 1.6-kilometer stretch of road next to the Jantar Mantar observatory in central Delhi has been a place where people could demonstrate and hold those in power accountable. However, this week, Jantar Mantar’s official status as a protest site was revoked—a sign that democratic space in India is shrinking, according to activists who spoke to AFP.

The decision came as the youth-led protest movement known as the "Cockroach Party" mobilized thousands of people to protest the removal of 130 million names from electoral rolls. Authorities have designated three other locations for demonstrations, but the iconic Jantar Mantar site holds symbolic value.

"This is nothing but an attempt to stifle dissent," human rights activist Shabnam Hashmi told AFP.

Leaders of the "Cockroaches" sentenced to five days in prison

Two leaders of the student-led "Cockroach Party" protest movement in India have been sentenced to five days in prison after being arrested during protests against the country's election commissioner, news agencies report.

Major demonstrations are underway across the country after more than 130 million people were removed from the electoral rolls. Opposition parties claim the process is politically motivated and are demanding the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Cockroach Movement leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were arrested on Tuesday after climbing over barriers to enter the grounds of Jantar Mantar, a historic observatory that has long served as a protest site. Police have charged them with trespassing, following a recent announcement that the location is no longer an official protest site.