Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday said the youth-led movement would continue its campaign to “save democracy”, amid a complaint and police case linked to the organisation’s protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park.
“File more cases but we will still keep fighting to save our democracy,” Dipke wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Siddhi Deolekar, a resident and advocate, said on Friday that she had lodged a complaint at Shivaji Park Police Station against Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ratna Singh, the legal affairs head of the CJP, for allegedly proceeding with the protest despite being denied permission.
Deolekar said the complaint was also against others for allegedly holding the protest and gathering a large crowd despite an express denial of permission.
Police case follows Shivaji Park protest
The Shivaji Park police subsequently registered an FIR against CJP supporters over allegations including unlawful assembly, raising slogans, disrupting traffic and using loudspeakers without permission during Friday’s demonstration. Police said around 400 to 500 unidentified supporters and protesters had gathered at the venue.
The CJP had organised the protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Mumbai Police had earlier denied permission for the gathering at Shivaji Park, citing concerns including noise pollution, traffic congestion and disruption to vehicular movement. Dipke subsequently announced a “Jail Bharo Andolan” at the venue.
The protest nevertheless drew a large crowd, with several prominent personalities, including Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Vishal Bhardwaj and Vishal Dadlani, participating. Indian Express also reported the participation of Prakash Raj and other public figures.
CJP sets October 10 deadline for next protest
Following the Shivaji Park demonstration, Dipke announced a fresh protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign.
“If Gyanesh Kumar doesn't resign, cockroaches from across India will march to Delhi & protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10,” he said in a post on X, adding that the agitation would be peaceful and calling on citizens who want free and fair elections to join it. The October 10 plan has also been reported by other news organisations.
Earlier, while addressing the Shivaji Park gathering, Dipke had warned of “Jantar Mantar 2.0” if Kumar did not step down.
The CJP’s October 2 demonstration was held despite the police denial of permission. Dipke had announced the “Jail Bharo Andolan” after the police rejected the request, with the organisation saying its demands included Kumar’s resignation and changes concerning the electoral process.
Protesters demand changes to election process
Defying the afternoon heat and barricades, young men and women gathered in large numbers at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai.
“Gyanesh Kumar must resign and face criminal proceedings,” demanded CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde. He also called for the voter lists of 2025 to be frozen and for the repeal of the 2023 law laying down the procedure for appointing Election Commissioners.
The CJP’s campaign has centred on allegations concerning electoral rolls and the SIR process. Reuters reported that the organisation has sought Kumar’s resignation and that the Election Commission has rejected allegations of wrongdoing while expediting efforts to enrol newly eligible and previously omitted voters.