Delhi Shuts Metro Stations and Markets Ahead of Protest Targeting Election Chief

Central Delhi was sealed on Oct 10, 2026, with thousands of police and paramilitaries on patrol, markets closed, 57 metro stations shut from the evening of Oct 9, several long-distance trains to the city cancelled, and mobile internet suspended in a 4 km radius of the protest area until the evening of Oct 10. The steps preceded a Cockroach Janta Party gathering set for 10 am at Jantar Mantar. The group, which began as online satire, demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a voter-list revision that removed about 130 million names. Delhi Police said on Oct 9 they denied permission because the request was late and the group had violated prior undertakings. CJP leaders said they would go ahead, calling protest a fundamental right. An Indian Express report said Kumar's deputies questioned and disagreed with him on the revision. Opposition parties alleged the changes aim to fix lists to the government's advantage. The Election Commission and the BJP denied the allegations. The BJP attributed its strength to Modi's popularity and economic growth. The episode follows earlier protests that forced an education minister to quit over exam paper leaks and comes before key state elections starting early 2027, including in Uttar Pradesh.