Thousands are expected to march in New Delhi on Saturday as anger mounts over controversial changes to voter lists. Protesters are calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-roll irregularities.
The demonstrations are being led by the Cockroach Janta Party, which began as a satirical movement but has emerged as a political force among Gen Z. This youth movement, along with opposition parties and their student units, has been holding almost daily demonstrations seeking the election chief's resignation.
Authorities have begun detaining members of the party en masse in the days leading up to the event. Among those detained are founder Abhijeet Dipke and other leaders.
New Delhi woke to a tense Saturday with heavy security arrangements in place. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the capital for a protest that police have not authorized.