‘Nothing can stop India’s youth’: Chirag on travel curbs ahead of CJP stir in Delhi

Union Minister Chirag Paswan

Union minister Chirag Paswan on Friday said “nothing can stop” India’s youth, as Indian Railways cancelled several Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive in Delhi ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on October 10 over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Paswan, a BJP ally and NDA member, also said Indian youth could not be held back, questioning attempts to disrupt their movement. “These are the youth of India—nothing can stop them. To those attempting to spread such misconceptions, I ask: how many trains can anyone really stop? How much connectivity can be blocked? How many roads can be jammed?” Paswan said.Paswan has also sought to distinguish his position on the Election Commission of India (ECI) from an automatic defence of the ruling establishment. Amid the controversy, he had initially said being part of the Union government did not mean he would blindly defend anyone. He stressed that the ECI was an independent constitutional body and called on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to present a robust response to the allegations and address public questions to help restore confidence in the poll panel.However, days later, Paswan said he was satisfied with the ECI’s point-by-point clarifications and criticised the Opposition for what he described as “selective criticism”. His remarks marked a shift from calling for the poll panel to address concerns to endorsing its subsequent explanation.According to news agency ANI, Paswan also said on Friday that the Indian youth have the potential to lead the world, “they possess the capacity to show the world the way—just as previous generations have done—and so, nothing can hold them back.”The remarks come as the Railway Board has directed the cancellation at source of Mail and Express trains departing after 2 pm on October 9 and scheduled to reach New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10. Sources said the decision followed intelligence inputs and traffic advisories warning of severe congestion around the stations.Also Read| Chirag Paswan’s UP gamble: Why PM Modi’s ‘Hanuman’ is flexing his muscle against alliesThe CJP protest is seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police has denied permission for the proposed gathering, citing short notice, previous non-compliance with directions, and concerns over public safety, law and order and traffic management.CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the railway restrictions, writing on X, “Shut down the entire country if you are scared of the youth.”Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien also targeted the government over the cancellations of the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express.“This is a big win for the youth of India and @Cockroachisback @abhijeet_dipke Bravo! Even before a ball has been bowled, the shit scared government has its knickers in a twist! (sic)” O’Brien posted on X.Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary M A Baby has approached the Supreme Court challenging the restrictions ahead of the protest, including train cancellations and proposed metro station closures.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal is representing him, according to the party.Delhi Police has also urged the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to shut 57 stations, while security has been tightened at several Delhi borders. The CJP has separately alleged that its national organisation co-in-charge Deepak Baliyan was placed under house arrest, a claim that could not be independently verified.Earlier, Paswan had said that opposition parties should approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) with their concerns over the electoral process rather than repeatedly disrupting proceedings.“Democracy permits protests; you certainly should protest, and indeed, democracy is strengthened by it,” he said, urging parties to seek appointments with the poll panel and obtain answers to their questions.