CJP Protest Mumbai and Delhi: Over 700 Detained as Demonstrators Demand Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: More than 700 people were detained in Delhi on October 2 during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held a separate demonstration at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CJP protest Mumbai formed part of a wider campaign against the Election Commission. Demonstrators in both cities accused the poll body of improperly removing eligible voters during the SIR exercise, allegations that the Election Commission has rejected.
Over 700 Detained In Delhi As Protesters Gather
Delhi Police detained more than 700 protesters at Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas, including members of political parties and student organisations, according to officials cited by Reuters.
Police imposed prohibitory orders and deployed additional personnel after permission for the planned gathering had not been granted. Several opposition figures and student activists were among those detained.
The protesters were seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar resignation, alleging that the SIR process had resulted in the deletion of large numbers of voters and raised questions about the integrity of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission has maintained that the revision process is intended to identify and remove duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible voters while ensuring that eligible citizens can be enrolled.
CJP Protest Mumbai Draws Political And Celebrity Attention
At Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, the CJP protest Mumbai was organised under the group’s “Jail Bharo Andolan” campaign. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has demanded Kumar’s resignation and criticised the handling of the electoral-roll revision.
Actors Naseeruddin Shah and Prakash Raj, along with composer-singer Vishal Dadlani and actress Shabana Azmi, were among the public figures reported to have supported or attended the Mumbai demonstration.
The protest follows the CJP’s earlier mobilisation around examination and recruitment issues. The movement had previously drawn thousands of young supporters during demonstrations linked to education-related demands, including protests covered in an earlier Supreme Court decision involving NEET-UG protesters.
Why Protesters Want Gyanesh Kumar To Resign
The CEC Gyanesh Kumar resignation demand has intensified after reports of disagreements within the Election Commission over decisions connected with the SIR exercise.
Protesters argue that the removal of eligible voters could affect citizens’ ability to participate in elections. Those allegations remain contested and should not be treated as established findings against the Election Commission.
The commission has defended the revision process and has also directed states and Union territories to undertake drives aimed at enrolling eligible and first-time voters who may have been left out.
Protests Expand Beyond Mumbai And Delhi
The CJP protest Mumbai is part of a broader mobilisation planned across several Indian cities. Organisers have indicated that demonstrations will also be held in places including Goa, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
The Delhi detentions and the Mumbai demonstration have brought renewed attention to disputes over electoral-roll revisions and the role of the Election Commission.
The CEC Gyanesh Kumar resignation campaign is now being watched alongside a wider political debate over voter-list accuracy, electoral transparency and safeguards for eligible voters.
