CJP to launch protest over SIR, seek CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation from Shivaji Park despite denial of permission

Abhijeet Dipke during a Meet the Press at the Mumbai Press Club on Thursday. Pics/Ashish Raje

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday said his nationwide protest will begin outside Gate No. 6 of Shivaji Park at 4 pm on Gandhi Jayanti, irrespective of permission.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police refused clearance, citing Bombay High Court guidelines on silence zones, and asked him to shift to Azad Maidan.

Rally curbs

Speaking at a ‘Meet the Press' at the Mumbai Press Club, Dipke questioned why citizens face curbs when political leaders hold rallies at the same ground.

"Protest is an act of dissent against power. If Devendra Fadnavis can hold political rallies at Shivaji Park, why can't citizens protest? There cannot be two different laws in one country," he said.

Heated session

The session turned heated when a senior journalist asked Dipke to show his degree certificate. He replied, "If Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows his degree, I will show mine too."

Asked about his online supporters allegedly trolling journalists, Dipke said the media must introspect, act responsibly and report ground realities instead of toeing official narratives.

Three demands

>> The resignation and criminal probe of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter roll deletions
>> A freeze on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) rolls and polls on the 2025 voter list
>> An independent mechanism, involving civil society, to appoint election commissioners

Agitation route

Dipke urged supporters to wear Mahatma Gandhi t-shirts, carry the Tricolour, apply sunscreen and come on a full stomach. Brushing off detention threats, he said even three months in jail would not stop the agitation. The protest will travel to Bengaluru, Kolkata, Patna, UP and Ranchi before an indefinite sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.