India’s crackdown targets cockroaches, critics and cameras amid youth protests

Protests return to Delhi

Youth-led protests have again drawn people into the streets of India’s capital, Delhi. The demonstrations followed media reports that the Electoral Commission had removed about 130 million names from voter lists.

The scale of the reported deletions has put the commission’s actions at the centre of public concern. The protests also reflect a broader confrontation between young demonstrators and the government.

Pressure on journalists and creators

Dozens of journalists and content creators have been detained, assaulted or prevented from working. The restrictions have added to concerns about the space available for critical reporting. Authorities have used media blackouts and internet shutdowns, while portraying protesters as rebels. But tighter controls on reporting have not stopped a new generation from speaking out.

Videos carry protests online

Protesters’ material has spread widely across social media feeds. Those posts can bring followers and voters into the movement, offering a reach that traditional politicians struggle to match.

The online spread of protest content has become part of the wider media contest. Even amid shutdowns and restrictions, young people are using viral posts to challenge the government’s account of events.