CJP Draws Thousands In Mumbai Calling For Gyanesh Kumar To Step Down

India-West News Desk

MUMBAI – An estimated 9,000 to 10,000 people gathered at Shivaji Park on October 2 for a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, according to the Mumbai Police Special Branch.

Police had denied permission for the gathering and put up barricades on routes from nearby Dadar railway station. Security was deployed around Shivaji Park, but protesters reached the venue carrying the national flag and placards calling for Kumar’s resignation.

Members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Federation (AISF) joined the demonstration. Actors Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah, singer Vishal Dadlani and activist Tushar Gandhi were also present.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X that thousands of young people were peacefully protesting against “vote theft” and exercising their constitutional rights. Gandhi also questioned the government’s response, alleging that young men and women were being detained for raising questions about alleged vote theft. He said a police baton could stop a crowd but not the question.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticized the Central government while addressing the gathering and challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to send the protesters to jail.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have supported the agitation. Some local residents have objected to holding the protest at Shivaji Park, citing inconvenience to people living and working in the area.

The CJP is demanding greater transparency in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and has called for the 2025 voter list to be frozen, saying it should not be “tampered with further.”

The party has also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, citing a  Indian Express report that said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections at least 14 times over 10 months regarding SIR-related decisions and orders.

Earlier in the day, Dipke paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in south Mumbai on his birth anniversary.