Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathee detained ahead of CJP protest

Popular Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained by police at his home in Gurugram on Saturday (October 10) before he could travel to Delhi to join a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Hindustan Times reported.

According to the newspaper, Rathee was detained for allegedly defying police instructions not to travel to the capital for the demonstration.

A team of Delhi Police entered his residence in Sector 56 at around 7:48am on Saturday, the report said. His mother opened the door when the officers arrived. The report also said around 50 police personnel had gathered outside his home late on Thursday night.

Rathee lives with his family in the Central Park Vihar residential complex in Sector 56, Gurugram. A senior Gurugram Police official had earlier said Rathee was being asked not to travel to Delhi to join the protest. “If he defies the instructions and tries to leave for Delhi, he will be detained,” the official said.

Police later detained Rathee for allegedly disobeying the instructions, according to the newspaper, which said details of where he was taken after his detention were not immediately available.

CJP plans protest over voter roll revision

The CJP had planned a large demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protest centres on allegations that the revision of electoral rolls has resulted in the removal of around 130 million voters' names. Opposition parties allege that the voter-list revision process could favour the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Election Commission and the BJP have denied the allegations.

Security has been tightened across Delhi ahead of the protest, with thousands of police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel expected to be deployed. According to a Reuters report, around 200 people had been detained in one area of Delhi in connection with the protest. Supporters were also reportedly detained outside the capital.

Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstration, citing security concerns. Restrictions have been imposed on metro stations, rail services and internet access, while vehicle checks and road barricades have been set up in several areas.

CJP founder Abhijit Dipke said volunteers and supporters would join the demonstration at Jantar Mantar as planned despite the restrictions. He also questioned the decision to suspend public transport, arguing that it would cause inconvenience to ordinary people. The CJP launched a series of protests following discontent over the revision of electoral rolls. The organisation has described its campaign as a movement to “Save Democracy”.