New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced plans to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 10, following its demonstration at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the proposed agitation would be held if Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar does not resign over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
Dipke described the planned demonstration as a peaceful movement and called on supporters from across the country, particularly young people, to gather in the national capital. He referred to the proposed agitation as “Jantar Mantar 2.0” and said the campaign would focus on electoral transparency and free and fair elections.
The announcement came after a large gathering at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, where thousands of people reportedly participated despite police denying permission for the event. Protesters raised slogans, waved the national flag and carried placards demanding Kumar’s resignation. The demonstration was organised amid the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
During the Mumbai protest, Dipke levelled several allegations concerning voter deletions, electoral procedures and the conduct of elections. He claimed that large numbers of names had been removed from voter lists and questioned the transparency of the process. These allegations have not been independently established in the reports cited.
CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde also raised demands for action against the Chief Election Commissioner, greater stability in electoral rolls and the repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners.
The Mumbai demonstration also saw the participation of prominent figures from the film and cultural sectors, including Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Vishal Dadlani, along with filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj and other personalities. The Shiv Sena (UBT) also extended support to the protest.
CJP leaders have indicated that the October 10 gathering will be part of a wider campaign seeking accountability in the electoral process. Dipke has maintained that the proposed Delhi demonstration will remain peaceful, while urging people from different parts of the country to participate.
The Election Commission-related allegations and demands raised by CJP remain the organisation’s stated position, with the proposed Jantar Mantar protest expected to bring them further public attention.
