Mumbai protest: CJP activists seek Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation at Azad Maidan

Activist Anjali Damania (in green) and others participate in the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ demonstration near CSMT. Pics/Ashish Raje

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists on Friday held a ‘Lehra Do Tiranga' protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Hundreds of CJP supporters and members of student organisations attended the event, many of them carrying the national flag and shouting slogans against the government.

Activist Anjali Damania, who addressed the protesters, sought accountability for the "brutality" of the Delhi Police towards protesters in the national capital.

Protesters raise slogans seeking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation at Azad Maidan

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Sandip Deshpande, who was also present, said the Narendra Modi-led Union government was trying to distract public attention from burning issues like inflation and rising unemployment.

Mumbai Police had on Thursday granted permission to the CJP to organise the protest at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai.

Around 500 police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order around the ground.

Purpose of protest

The protest was organised to express solidarity with CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who were sent in five-day judicial custody on Wednesday after entering Jantar Mantar in the national capital and raising slogans.

Damania, known for taking up corruption issues, called herself a CJP activist. The organisation wanted to protest at the Gateway of India but did not get permission, she said.

"No one can stop us from waving the Tiranga," she said, adding that the rules state that citizens can wave the national flag anytime.

Kumar, appointed as CEC in March 2024, has overseen Assembly elections in 15 states, Damania noted, claiming that 76 lakh votes were added to the final tally between 5 pm and 6 pm during the Maharashtra elections that took place in November 2024.

"He [Kumar] took decisions without taking the two Election Commissioners into confidence. All decisions were taken by Gyanesh Kumar alone. Our demand is that Gyanesh Kumar has to resign," she said, adding that even BJP supporters should participate in the protests.

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