Thousands gather at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park demanding CEC’s resignation

Mumbai: Thousands of people gathered at Shivaji Park on Friday for a Cockroach Janta Party protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision.

The demonstration began at around 3.30 pm to 4 pm despite Mumbai Police having denied permission. Police estimated the crowd at about 4,000 by 5 pm.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reached the venue as protesters waved the national flag and carried placards calling for Kumar to step down. Actor Naseeruddin Shah and singer Vishal Dadlani were among the public figures reported at the gathering.

Police deployed personnel, including women officers, around Shivaji Park and Dadar railway station. Barricades were placed at major approaches to the ground as officers monitored traffic and security.

The CJP is seeking Kumar’s resignation, greater transparency in the appointment of the CEC and a freeze on the 2025 electoral roll. It has linked its campaign to reports of objections within the Election Commission over decisions connected to electoral-roll management and the SIR.

Dipke accused the government of failing to answer the protesters’ concerns and said the mobilisation would continue. CJP leaders have announced plans to take the campaign to Goa, Bengaluru, Patna, Ranchi, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rejected the protesters’ allegations, saying the Election Commission’s statement had countered what he described as a false narrative against the poll body.

The Election Commission has maintained that decisions concerning the SIR were taken unanimously. It has also said voters left out during or after the revision can apply for inclusion through continuous updation and that a special enrolment drive will be conducted.

The Mumbai gathering followed a protest in Delhi earlier on Friday. Delhi Police detained more than 700 protesters, including AAP leaders and members of student organisations, near Jantar Mantar.