Protest against Gyanesh Kumar: Mumbai Police denies CJP permission
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Mumbai: Mumbai Police have denied permission for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to hold a protest at Shivaji Park on October 2, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, prompting the organisation to announce a planned “Jail Bharo Andolan” in the city on Gandhi Jayanti.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the group would proceed with its agitation despite the rejection and accused the authorities of restricting its right to protest. The organisation had earlier announced nationwide demonstrations from October 2 if Kumar did not step down.
Police, however, said they lacked the authority to permit such a gathering at Shivaji Park due to restrictions imposed by a 2013 Bombay High Court order. The area is also classified as a silent zone, with authorities citing concerns over noise, traffic congestion and disruption in the surrounding residential area. Police advised the organisers to identify an alternative venue in Mumbai and submit a fresh request.
The CJP protest comes amid controversy over reported disagreements within the Election Commission during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. An Indian Express investigation reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months regarding decisions linked to voter registration, deletions, and electoral roll management.
The Election Commission has rejected suggestions of a division in the three-member panel, maintaining that decisions relating to the SIR were taken with the approval of all three commissioners.