The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party and Left parties are among the political groups expected to join the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10. The demonstration is aimed at demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest has prompted heightened security arrangements in the national capital. Delhi Police has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to close entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9pm on Friday, October 9, and consider reducing train frequency at the affected stations until the situation returns to normal. The measures have been proposed amid concerns about large crowds moving towards sensitive locations.
AAP, Samajwadi Party and Left parties back the movement
The AAP has announced that it will participate in Saturday’s demonstration, which is being led by the CJP. Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Singh has also said his party will join the agitation, alongside the Left parties and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Speaking to reporters in Sikandarpur after attending the thirteenth-day ritual of senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Govind Chaudhary, Singh said the demonstration was intended to protect democracy.
“The CJP protest is to save democracy. We also participated in the protest on October 2,” Singh said.
He added that the agitation was being organised by the CJP rather than the Samajwadi Party, and that several political groups had taken part in the previous demonstration.
“It is not our protest; it is the CJP’s protest. All parties had participated last time as well, including the Samajwadi Party, Left parties, the Biju Janata Dal and us. Everyone will participate in the CJP protest,” Singh said.
What are the demands of the CJP-led protest?
The October 10 demonstration is part of a wider campaign against alleged vote theft and the ongoing revision of electoral rolls. The CJP has called for Kumar’s resignation, arguing that the electoral-roll revision raises concerns about voters’ rights and the Election Commission’s accountability.
Singh outlined the demands of the nationwide agitation, which include scrapping the SIR process, cancelling state elections allegedly conducted through irregularities, involving the Chief Justice of India in the selection process for the Chief Election Commissioner, and holding elections across the country using ballot papers.
The movement has drawn attention to concerns raised by opposition parties and civil society groups over the possibility of eligible voters being removed from electoral rolls. Critics of the SIR exercise have called for the process to be halted and previous voter lists to be restored. The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the revision remains an ongoing exercise and that voters who have been wrongly excluded can enrol again.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke calls for nationwide mobilisation
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has appealed to people across political affiliations to join the October 10 demonstration. In a message posted on social media, he urged people to march to Jantar Mantar in support of democracy and voting rights.
The planned protest follows demonstrations held by the CJP and other groups in Delhi and Mumbai on October 2, during which participants demanded action against Kumar and raised concerns about the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR process.
The CJP has said it intends to proceed with the October 10 agitation despite the authorities’ decision to deny permission. Delhi Police has cited the late submission of the application, previous alleged non-compliance with directions and concerns over public safety, law and order, and traffic management.
Dipke has maintained that the demonstration will go ahead. The planned mobilisation has also drawn attention to reports of police notices being issued to some CJP supporters intending to travel to Delhi. The party has alleged that the notices are intended to discourage participation, while police have described such notices as preventive measures.
Security tightened ahead of the Jantar Mantar protest
Delhi Police has sought restrictions at 57 metro stations across the capital ahead of Saturday’s planned demonstration. The proposed measures include closing entry and exit gates and reducing train frequency at selected stations from Friday night until the situation normalises.
The restrictions are intended to manage crowd movement and prevent possible disruption around sensitive locations. The planned protest has also raised concerns about travel disruptions for commuters and visitors to the capital.
The October 10 agitation is expected to bring together opposition parties, student groups and supporters of the CJP around demands for electoral accountability, an end to the SIR process and changes to the way election commissioners are appointed. The Election Commission and the government have denied allegations of political wrongdoing in the voter-roll revision.