Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday said Mumbai Police had denied permission for the outfit’s proposed October 2 protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, prompting him to announce a “Jail Bharo Andolan” if its “right to protest” continued to be denied. The CJP had earlier announced that it would begin a nationwide agitation from Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti after its deadline demanding Kumar’s resignation expired on September 26.
Dipke said the organisation would not abandon its programme because police permission had been denied. The proposed demonstration is part of the CJP’s campaign against the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with the group levelling allegations over the conduct of the exercise and demanding Kumar’s resignation.
Permission denied
“Mumbai Police has also denied permission for our protest on 2nd October. Such tactics to suppress citizens’ voices are unacceptable,” Dipke said, announcing that the group would resort to a Jail Bharo agitation if it was prevented from demonstrating. He said the movement would continue despite the denial of permission and reiterated the call for supporters to mobilise on Gandhi Jayanti.
Azad Maidan had emerged as the most likely venue for the demonstration, although CJP functionaries had earlier said the location could not be finalised because police clearance had not been received. The organisation said it would continue trying to secure permission for the programme.
Ultimatum had expired
The CJP had set September 26 as its deadline for Kumar to step down, with Dipke announcing two days earlier that a nationwide agitation would begin from Mumbai on October 2 if the demand was not met. He said the movement would subsequently be taken to cities across the country.
The group has accused the Election Commission of undermining voter rights and has raised objections to the SIR exercise. It has also cited reports of differences within the poll panel, although the Election Commission has said differences and observations are part of institutional deliberations and maintained that its decisions are unanimous.
The CJP has also criticised opposition parties for continuing to contest elections while questioning the integrity of the electoral process. Dipke has argued that participating in elections while simultaneously alleging that they are rigged legitimises a process the parties themselves have challenged.
Opposition protests planned
The CJP’s agitation comes as opposition parties in Maharashtra prepare separate demonstrations against the Election Commission. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has backed the CJP’s October 2 protest, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Shiv Sena (UBT) have announced a separate march in Mumbai on October 4.
The Maharashtra Congress has separately announced protests across the state demanding Kumar’s removal. The parallel programmes could result in a series of demonstrations over the Election Commission in Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra over the coming days.
The denial of permission has now added another point of confrontation ahead of October 2. With Dipke threatening to court arrest if the demonstration is prevented, the CJP has indicated that it intends to press ahead with its mobilisation while continuing its effort to secure permission from the authorities.