Indian opposition leaders and student activists marched on the Supreme Court on Monday to demand the resignation of the country’s election chief over alleged voter roll manipulation, as authorities erected heavy barricades and shut six metro stations across New Delhi.
The rally went ahead after the Chief Justice of India turned down a meeting request from an opposition delegation, urging them instead to file a formal petition.
Mainstream opposition parties have sought to harness a groundswell of public anger generated by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has spearheaded weeks of protests against alleged electoral roll manipulation.
Tensions boiled over during the weekend when Delhi police detained dozens of student activists and blocked planned rallies, handing the opposition fresh political momentum for Monday’s march.