HRF welcomes the Indian court’s decision to release “Cockroach” movement leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after they were detained for their participation in the recent protests. HRF calls on India to protect and respect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Das and Ranka were arrested and detained during a police crackdown on protests over alleged political bias in the electoral system. The two were taken into custody after reportedly climbing over police barricades to enter a site in central Delhi that had been sealed off by officials. They were subsequently charged with trespassing and disturbing the peace.
The Cockroach movement, largely driven by Gen Z students, began amid frustration over school exam leaks and unemployment before expanding into broader concerns over political and governance issues.
HRF’s Tyranny Tracker has classified India as ruled by a hybrid authoritarian regime, and space for dissent and civic freedoms continues to shrink. HRF will continue to monitor developments and the state of civic space in India.
