Mumbai, Oct 2: Thousands of people gathered at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday for a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision and seeking greater transparency in the functioning of the Election Commission.
The protest, held on Gandhi Jayanti, was organised despite Mumbai Police denying permission for the gathering at Shivaji Park. The CJP has described the agitation as a “Jail Bharo Andolan” and announced plans to take the campaign to other cities before culminating in a demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke addressed the gathering and reiterated the demand for Kumar’s resignation. The organisation has also sought the freezing of the 2025 electoral roll and greater transparency in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, including participation of civil society in the process.
The protest follows reports of differences within the three-member Election Commission over decisions relating to electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
An investigation by The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period concerning decisions and orders related to electoral-roll revision, including matters involving voter registration, deletion and restoration of names.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that such internal notes and discussions are part of its decision-making process and clarified that decisions of the three-member Commission, including those concerning the SIR, were taken unanimously.
The protest drew support from several public figures and political groups. Actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, singer-composer Vishal Dadlani and other personalities were among those seen at or expressing support for the demonstration. Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena also extended support to the agitation.
Protesters carrying the national flag and placards gathered at the iconic ground in central Mumbai. Slogans demanding accountability from the poll panel were raised during the demonstration.
Police and security personnel were deployed in large numbers around Shivaji Park and Dadar railway station. Barricades were placed at several entry points and security arrangements were tightened to regulate movement and prevent any untoward incident.
Mumbai Police had earlier denied permission for the proposed gathering at Shivaji Park, citing restrictions governing the use of the ground as well as concerns relating to traffic, public movement and the residential nature of the surrounding area. The CJP nevertheless proceeded with the protest.
A separate group identifying itself as “Gen Next Mumbai” also held a demonstration opposing the CJP agitation, according to reports.
Dipke has said the Mumbai protest is the beginning of a wider campaign and that demonstrations would subsequently be held in cities including Goa, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Ranchi before the agitation reaches New Delhi. He has said the campaign would continue until the CEC resigns.
The CJP has linked its demands to concerns over electoral-roll revisions and the SIR process. The Election Commission has rejected allegations that its decisions were taken without collective consideration, maintaining that the full three-member Commission took the relevant decisions unanimously.
The Mumbai demonstration has therefore brought renewed public attention to questions surrounding electoral-roll revision, the functioning of the poll panel and the process through which the country’s Chief Election Commissioner is appointed.
