CJP Protest Highlights: CEC Gyanesh Kumar must resign, face criminal proceedings, says CJP

If CEC Gyanesh Kumar didn't resign, cockroaches from across India will protest at Jantar Mantar on Oct 10: Abhijeet Dipke

A 75-year-old man died of a heart attack amid the Cockroach Janta Party's protest at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Friday, seeking the ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a police official said, PTI reported.

The CJP's protest followed media reports claiming Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to decisions and orders related to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission later said the three-member commission took all decisions, including those related to the SIR, unanimously.

The CJP demanded transparency in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and called for the 2025 voter list to be frozen, saying it should not be “tampered with further”. The party has also demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

Hundreds of people gathered at Mumbai's Shivaji Park for a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by Abhijeet Dipke. SFI and AISF activists, actors Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah, singer Vishal Dadlani and activist Tushar Gandhi also attended.

According to PTI, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde said that CEC Gyanesh Kumar must resign, face criminal proceedings at Shivaji Park during Mumbai protest.

Shabana Azmi joined Abhijeet Dipke and other CJP members on stage.

Abhijeet Dipke greets Naseeruddin Shah with a hug at Shivaji Park protest. Watch video.

According to Hindustan Times, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das has arrived at protest which is expected to begin shortly.

On Friday, heavy police deployment has been seen at the protest site. Railway authorities have reportedly deployed forces in and around Dadar station and the iconic Mumbai park, reported PTI. Read more here

Javed Akhtar wrote on X, “I am so happy that some residences of Shivaji park are getting sensitive about the noise pollution and asking the authorities to cancel the protest of CJP today at Shivaji park . I am hundred percent sure that they will raise the same objection with the same intensity if not more when ever there is any jalsa of any political party of Maharashtra is planned at Shivaji park.”

At the Jantar Mantar protest site, CJP former spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya says, "We are being told not to go here or there...No one wants to protest, but when you make mistakes, and we have to protest against them...Protest anywhere in the country; it is a matter of right to vote."

Security forces were deployed in large numbers around Shivaji Park on Friday as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) prepared to launch a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, despite the police denying permission for the agitation.

Police and railway authorities have deployed forces around Dadar station and the iconic ground in central Mumbai ahead of the proposed 4 pm demonstration.

A police contingent, including women personnel, alongside security teams from other agencies, have been stationed at strategic locations to prevent any untoward incident, an official said.

The Delhi Police detained more than 500 protesters, including AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Atishi and Sanjay Singh, as well as activists of some student outfits, during a protest against the CEC at Jantar Mantar on Friday, PTI reported.

Political parties and members of AISA, SFI, NSUI and other student bodies are protesting to demand Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and mass deletion of voters.

At Jantar Mantar, RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "They should be ashamed... Do protests require permission? After all, this is Gandhi's country. Today is Gandhi Jayanti..."

When asked if he is going to take part in the protest, he says, "Absolutely!... I want to say that despite turning this into a police state, Gyanesh Kumar, PM Modi, and Amit Shah will not be able to hide their wrongdoing."

The entry and exit at Barakhamba metro station is closed till further notice," Delhi Metro Rail Corporation posts on X

As CPI(M), SFI and DYFI protest against the Election Commission near Jantar Mantar, CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby says, "Gyanesh Kumar should be arrested for the criminal activity of cutting people's votes."

Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar reviews active security arrangements at Jantar Mantar protest site along with senior police officials.

Singer Vishal Dadlani said he will join the CJP protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Friday. He announced this in a post on Instagram, with a song “Go Gyanu Go,” in reference to protesters' demand seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

Delhi AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, who arrived at Jantar Mantar to protest against the Election Commission, was detained by police.