28 September,2026 05:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In an earlier post on X, Abhijeet Dipke (third from left) said the police had denied permission for the October 2 protest and alleged that such a move amounted to suppressing citizens` voices. FILE PIC
A day after Mumbai Police denied permission to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to hold a demonstration at Shivaji Park on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke announced a 'Jail Bharo Andolan' in Mumbai and named Shivaji Park as the venue.
"Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai. October 2, Shivaji Park," Dipke said in a post on X on Monday.
The announcement comes after police denied permission for the CJP's proposed demonstration at Shivaji Park against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid the Election Commission row. Dipke had earlier warned that the group would launch a Jail Bharo Andolan if it was denied the right to hold the protest.
In an earlier post on X, Dipke said the police had denied permission for the October 2 protest and alleged that such a move amounted to suppressing citizens' voices.
He had said CJP would launch a Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti if its right to protest continued to be denied.
According to the Mumbai Police, an application was submitted on September 26 by CJP National Organisation Head Ajinkya Shinde seeking permission for a demonstration at Shivaji Park from 3 pm to 9 pm on Friday, October 2.
The police said they were not empowered to permit non-sporting gatherings at Shivaji Park in view of a Bombay High Court judgment in PIL No 116/2009 dated January 4, 2013, and a subsequent Maharashtra government resolution dated January 20, 2016.
The police also cited Shivaji Park's status as a residential silence zone and raised concerns over noise pollution from a large gathering.
Traffic disruption was another reason cited by the authorities. Police said a large demonstration in the area could cause congestion and affect access to hospitals and other institutions in the vicinity.
The Mumbai Police clarified that the organisers had not been barred from holding a protest elsewhere in the city.
Officials advised Shinde to identify an alternative venue in Mumbai and submit a fresh application for permission. The police said the new request would be considered by the competent authorities in accordance with the law.
Dipke's latest X post does not mention whether fresh permission has been sought or granted for the Jail Bharo Andolan. It only states that the agitation will be held in Mumbai on October 2 and names Shivaji Park.
The CJP's proposed demonstration comes amid Opposition demands for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar as CEC.
