Determined to protest at Shivaji Park by breaking the ban…; warning of “send to jail”…

Mumbai (Anant Nalaavde) – A call for a protest in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, has been issued against the Election Commission’s functioning and to protest the Special Voter Verification process, i.e., ‘SIR’. Although the Mumbai police denied permission for the protest on grounds of law and order, Abhijit Deepke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), expressed his resolve to hold the protest at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ground (Shivaji Park) in Dadar at the scheduled time. He warned that if the police obstruct, a ‘Jail Bharo’ protest would be undertaken. Consequently, a possibility of clash between protesters and police on Gandhi Jayanti has emerged.

At a press conference held on Thursday at the Mumbai Press Club, Deepke announced the protest’s agenda and subsequent program. He said the protest will commence at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 2, from Gate No. 6 of Shivaji Park. After the Mumbai protest, the movement will be expanded to Goa, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Patna, Uttar Pradesh and Ranchi. He also announced an indefinite sit‑in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi towards the end of October.

Deepke appealed that participants should not use party flags but should take the national flag in hand and wear T‑shirts bearing Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait. He also affirmed the intention to conduct the protest non‑violently.

Questioning the administration after denial of permission…

Deepke questioned the administration’s stance on denying permission for the protest. Citing that during the freedom struggle no permission was sought from the British for protests, he asserted that citizens have a right to protest in a democracy. He asked why political rallies are allowed in silence zones while protests by ordinary citizens exercising their rights are denied. “I am ready to spend three months in jail; I will emerge again for the people,” he said, indicating no fear of detention. Consequently, attention is now on how the protest will proceed despite the police’s refusal.

Issues ranging from voter lists to unemployment…

While the protest’s focal point is the SIR process and the Election Commission’s functioning, Deepke said it will also address voting rights, elections on ballot paper, concerns of MPSC‑UPSC aspirants, education and unemployment. He expressed a desire to build an effective social pressure group rather than merely function as a political party. According to Deepke, senior leaders of the Mahavikas Aghadi – Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray – as well as MNS chief Raj Thackeray and social activist Sonam Wangchuk have shown support for the campaign.

Key demands of the protesters…

Resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner: Kyanesh Kumar should immediately resign. Protesters demand a thorough inquiry into his tenure and filing of criminal charges.
Stop the SIR process: Accusing that voter names are being excluded under the guise of voter verification, they demand an immediate halt to the campaign and that the upcoming 2025 elections be conducted based on the original voter list.
Change the selection committee: Protesters propose that the selection committee for Election Commissioners must legally include a senior judge and representatives of civil society.

Now the focus shifts to the police’s role…

The determination to protest on Gandhi Jayanti despite the police’s denial of permission makes the situation around Shivaji Park critical. The involvement of protesters, police administration and possible political participation has drawn state attention to the movement. Whether the protest will proceed peacefully or adopt the ‘Jail Bharo’ route will become clear tomorrow, Friday.