Writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar on Friday weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, questioning whether residents who objected to the demonstration over noise pollution would show the “same intensity” when political parties hold rallies at the venue. Akhtar’s remarks came after some residents and businesses around Shivaji Park raised objections to the CJP gathering, citing concerns over noise, disruption to daily life and the impact of large public demonstrations on commercial activity in the neighbourhood.
Akhtar questions objections
In a post on X, Akhtar said he was pleased that some Shivaji Park residents had become sensitive to noise pollution and had approached the authorities seeking cancellation of the CJP protest. He then questioned whether the same position would be adopted when established political parties organise public meetings at the ground.
“I am hundred percent sure that they will raise the same objection with the same intensity if not more” whenever a political party in Maharashtra plans a jalsa at Shivaji Park, Akhtar wrote. His remarks appeared to question whether concerns over noise and disruption would be applied consistently to different organisations using the ground. Shivaji Park has historically hosted major political rallies and public gatherings, apart from sporting and cultural events.
Residents flag disruption
The CJP protest had faced opposition from a section of local residents and businesses before Friday’s gathering. Residents cited noise and disturbance in the neighbourhood, while some businesses said demonstrations in the area could disrupt their regular operations.
Shivaji Park has also been the subject of a longstanding debate over the balance between its role as a venue for political and public gatherings and the interests of people living around it. The area was declared a silence zone by the Bombay High Court in 2010 because of the presence of schools, hospitals and residential buildings nearby.
The permissible noise limits applicable to silence zones are consequently stricter than those in ordinary commercial or residential areas, making the use of loudspeakers and amplified sound during large gatherings a recurring point of contention.
CJP takes protest to Shivaji Park
The CJP, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, had announced the October 2 Mumbai demonstration as part of a wider agitation centred on the Election Commission. The organisation has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raised objections to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The CJP has alleged irregularities in the electoral-roll process and sought greater transparency and accountability from the Election Commission. These remain allegations and political demands made by the organisation and do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing by the Election Commission or the Chief Election Commissioner.
Dipke had said the Mumbai protest would be followed by demonstrations in other cities as part of a nationwide campaign. The organisation also announced a “Jail Bharo Andolan” after Mumbai Police did not grant permission for its proposed demonstration at Shivaji Park.
Prominent faces join protest
The demonstration attracted additional attention after actor Naseeruddin Shah met Dipke and subsequently reached the protest site. Shah and Dipke were seen embracing and exchanging words of appreciation in a video that circulated widely online.
Other public figures also joined the gathering as CJP supporters assembled in the area. Security arrangements were strengthened around Shivaji Park and Dadar amid the demonstration and the objections raised by residents. Akhtar’s intervention added another dimension to the dispute. Rather than dismissing concerns about noise pollution, his post questioned whether the principle would be applied uniformly whenever political parties sought to use Shivaji Park for their own public gatherings.