Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Mumbai and Delhi on Friday to seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for alleged irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) process. Police have tightened security around the proposed demonstrations as organisers and supporters step up their demands for accountability.
In Mumbai, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke began a 'Jail Bharo Andolan' at Shivaji Park at 4 pm. The CJP had earlier sought permission to hold a protest against Kumar at the venue but said Mumbai Police denied it. Police then said they were not empowered to grant permission for a gathering at Shivaji Park because of a 2013 Bombay High Court order and also cited the area’s status as a silence zone.
In Delhi, social activists and student groups have called a gathering at Jantar Mantar. AISA, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan are among those backing the protest, while AAP leaders Atishi, Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia have appealed to people to participate. Protesters are demanding Kumar’s resignation and have raised allegations concerning electoral rolls and the conduct of elections.
The protests come amid an ongoing political dispute over SIR, which has drawn criticism from opposition parties. The Election Commission, however, has said that its three-member commission took decisions on the exercise unanimously. Dipke has also demanded Kumar’s resignation and warned that the CJP could expand its protests to other parts of the country.
Abhijeet Dipke Detained At Marine Drive
A day before CJP's planned 'Jail Bharo Andolan' at Shivaji Park, founder Abhijeet Dipke was briefly detained at Marine Drive by Mumbai Police on October 2. CJP has called the protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR exercise and demanded his resignation. Police had earlier denied permission for the demonstration. Dipke was later released.
Abhijeet Dipke Meets Students At Ambedkar Hostel In Chembur
Abhijeet Dipke met the students at Ambedkar Hostel in Chembur, ahead of CJP's Jail Bharo Andolan at Shivaji Park. Pictures of the meet, shared on his social media account, show Dipke interacting with students.
Singer Vishal Dadlani To Join CJP 'Jail Bharo Andolan' At Shivaji Park
Singer Vishal Dadlani said that he will join the 'Jail Bharo Andolan' by CJP at Shivaji Park in Mumbai today. Dadlani took to his social media and slammed CEC Gyanesh Kumar with the slogan, "Go Gyanu Go". The singer also urged Mumbaikars to turn up at 4pm at Shivaji Park and participate in the demonstration.
Security Beefed Up At Shivaji Park Ahead Of CJP Protest
A viral video shared by a Shivaji Park resident showed barricades in place at Shivaji Park's Gate no 6. The video shot on Thursday night shows the gate fully blocked by barricades. Mumbai Police has denied permission to CJP for a protest at the iconic ground.
What Are CJP's 3 Key Demands?
Cockroach Janta Party has put forth three key demands against the government amid the ongoing SIR protests. The demands are as follows:
1: Gyanesh Kumar must resign, face criminal proceedings, and reveal who gave the orders.
2: Freeze the SIR, restore the January 2025 voter list, and order an independent inquiry.
3: Repeal the 2023 appointment law and enact a transparent law with civil society participation.
'Shivaji Park.. Shivaji Park..': Abhijeet Dipke Seen Promoting Dadar CJP Protest On Mumbai Streets
Abhijeet Dipke was seen promoting the Dadar CJP Protest on Mumbai Streets. The CJP founder was seen sitting in a rickshaw and shouting, "Chala chala shivaji park.. shivaji park… shivaji park," ahead of the protest in the evening today.
Mumbai Police Tighten Security At Shivaji Park Ahead Of CJP Jail-Bharo Protest
Mumbai Police have intensified security at Shivaji Park ahead of the CJP’s planned Jail Bharo Andolan, which police said is being held without permission. Barricades have been placed, the ground cordoned off, and anti-riot, QRT and dog squads kept on alert.
'Fake Narrative Busted': CM Devendra Fadnavis Reacts To CJP Protest
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis reacted to CJP's protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, saying the group's 'fake narrative' had been 'busted' by the Election Commissioners' press conference. He said attempts were still being made to continue pushing the narrative but claimed they would not succeed. CJP has been protesting over electoral-roll and SIR concerns and demanding Kumar's resignation.
Team Of Doctors Arrives At CJP's Shivaji Park Protest Site
A team of doctors arrived at the Shivaji Park protest site ahead of the Jail Bharo Andolan by CJP. The doctors present there extended support to the protest and also vowed medical aid for the protesters.
Massive Police Bandobast At Shivaji Park Ahead Of CJP Protest
Anti-CJP Protests Erupt At South Mumbai's Oval Maidan
Meanwhile, a group of people held protests against the Cockroach Janta Party and its founder Abhijeet Dipke at the Oval Maidan. They held placards and shouted slogans against the CJP.
Actor Prakash Raj Urges Citizens To Support CJP Protests
Actor Prakash Raj, in a video on X, urged citizens to support the Cockroach Janta Party in its protests seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He said that “goons who celebrate Godse” are now “trying to kill our citizenship and democracy through SIR (special intensive revision).”
Actor Naseeruddin Shah, Composer Vishal Dadlani Join Protest
Among those who joined the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Shivaji Park were actor Naseeruddin Shah, music composer Vishal Dadlani and director Vishal Bharadwaj.
'Why is BJP defending EC?': Protester at Shivaji Park
Sachin Sawant, who travelled from Satara to Mumbai to take part in the protest, questioned why the Bharatiya Janata Party was defending the Election Commission from criticism.
"The Opposition is asking questions to the Election Commission, and it is the responsibility of the commission to clarify on that," Sawant told the Free Press Journal. "But why is the BJP defending the Election Commission?"
Aishwarya Yadav, who also travelled from Satara, remarked that apart from alleged irregularities in the SIR process, there had also been accusations of mismanagement of entrance examinations such as NEET.
"Multiple scams are happening day in and day out," Yadav said. "People are frustrated."
