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CJP activists and other civil society organisations gathered at Shivaji Park over allegations linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
CJP Protest At Shivaji Park: Naseeruddin Shah, Vishal Dadlani Join Stir Against Gyanesh Kumar
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) began its ‘Season 2’ protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the electoral process. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke later joined supporters at the venue as the youth-led movement stepped up its campaign against the Election Commission.
CJP activists and other civil society organisations gathered at Shivaji Park over allegations linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Heavy police deployment was seen at the venue.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das appealed to Mumbaikars to join the protest. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said allegations against the Election Commission had already been countered. CJP leader Dipke dares Maharashtra CM Fadnavis to send protesters gathered at Shivaji Park seeking CEC’s resignation to jail.
Fadnavis hits back at CJP protest
Speaking about the protest, Fadnavis said the allegations being raised against the Election Commission had been addressed. “The entire matter has been exposed. Following the press conference held by the three Election Commissioners, their fake narrative has been busted. Yet, attempts are still being made to push this fake narrative. They will not succeed in this,” Fadnavis said.
One of the protesters, meanwhile, criticised Dipke and the CJP, saying, “People like Abhijeet Dipke speak of dismantling the Constitution. Today, however, we stand beneath the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar because we know how to protect and respect the Constitution.”
At A Glance
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) began its ‘Season 2’ protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Actor Naseeruddin Shah and singer Vishal Dadlani joined the CJP protest at Shivaji Park.
Protests are also planned in Delhi at Jantar Mantar by social activists and student groups.
Delhi Police expects around 3,000 to 4,000 people to potentially turn up at the Delhi protest.
“That is why we have gathered here for a peaceful demonstration; the conduct of the Cockroach Janata Party will not be tolerated,” the protester said.
‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ at Shivaji Park
Dipke had announced a “Jail Bharo Andolan” at Shivaji Park at 4pm. The CJP had earlier planned a protest against Kumar at the venue but said Mumbai Police had denied permission. Police later said they were not empowered to grant permission for a gathering at Shivaji Park in view of a 2013 Bombay High Court order and described the area as a silence zone.
Dipke has demanded Kumar’s resignation and threatened to expand the CJP’s protests nationwide. On Thursday, Dipke was briefly escorted to Marine Drive police station after gathering with supporters holding placards. He was released minutes later.
The CJP has also said it will not join the Opposition’s October 6 protest against the Election Commission, maintaining that its movement is independent.
‘Gandhi is soul, Ambedkar backbone of India’
Addressing supporters at Shivaji Park, Dipke spoke about Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar. “Gandhi is the soul of the country,” Dipke said, asserting that the country remains stable because of Gandhi’s ideology. He also said, “Gandhi is soul, Ambedkar is backbone of India,” highlighting the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar.
Actor Naseeruddin Shah and singer Vishal Dadlani also joined the CJP protest at Shivaji Park as the ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ began.
Protests also planned in Delhi
The Mumbai protest comes alongside a planned gathering at Jantar Mantar in Delhi by social activists and student groups. AISA, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan are among those backing the protest. AAP leaders Atishi, Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia have also appealed to people to attend. The protesters are demanding Kumar’s resignation and have raised allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls and the conduct of elections.
Delhi Police has denied permission for the proposed gathering and deployed additional personnel, including Central Armed Police Forces, around Jantar Mantar and other parts of the New Delhi district. Barricades have also been placed at key entry and exit points. Police sources said they expect around 3,000 to 4,000 people to potentially turn up.
Why are they protesting against Gyanesh Kumar?
The protests are part of a wider political dispute over the SIR exercise. Opposition parties have criticised Kumar over the revision of electoral rolls, while the Election Commission has maintained that its three-member commission took decisions on SIR unanimously.
The CJP and opposition parties have been demanding Kumar’s resignation after it emerged that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to decisions and orders, some of which they said were issued without their knowledge.
The Election Commission later clarified that the three-member commission had taken all decisions, including those relating to the SIR, unanimously.
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Ask News18The Cockroach Janta Party led a protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities and concerns linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
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Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As…Read More
October 02, 2026, 6:18 PM IST
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