05 October,2026 11:40 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
CJP co-convener Saurav Das. Pic/X
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders have claimed that possible arrests ahead of their planned October 10 protest in Delhi will not stop their campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
CJP co-convener Saurav Das alleged that the government was planning to arrest him and other party leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Ratna Singh. He described any such action as "dictatorial" and said the group's supporters would continue the movement even if its leaders were detained.
The allegations come amid heightened political activity over the SIR exercise and protests demanding Kumar's resignation. The CJP has announced a fresh mobilisation at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not step down.
In a post on X, Das said the CJP leadership was prepared to face arrest but argued that such action would not stop the movement.
"The government is planning on arresting me, Abhijeet, Ashutosh, Ratna and other Cockroach Janta Party leaders. If the government thinks that such dictatorial actions will work, then they are mistaken! The young generation has awakened," Das wrote.
He urged supporters to continue the campaign regardless of whether the party's leaders were present.
"We appeal to everyone to continue fighting for our rights and future, with or without us. We have always been ready to face jail or worse. But this will be a big mistake. The young will not tolerate this," he wrote.
Calling for a larger mobilisation, Das added, "The protests must continue. People of India should ensure the biggest mobilisation starting October 10th."
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also responded to the reported possibility of arrests, directly addressing Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
"Kitno ko arrest karoge Amit Shah? 10 Oct ko poora desh aa raha hai," Dipke wrote on X.
The CJP has announced October 10 as the date for its next protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Dipke had earlier said the group would hold the demonstration if Kumar did not resign and described the planned action as a peaceful protest by citizens seeking free and fair elections.
The October 10 mobilisation follows a CJP protest in Mumbai on October 2, where the group demanded Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. The party has subsequently sought to expand its campaign to Delhi.
The CJP's latest statements came a day after a separate protest in Delhi over Kumar's alleged role in the SIR controversy turned tense.
Around 15 Delhi Police personnel were injured during Sunday's protest, according to ANI, while approximately 110 people were detained. Some women police personnel were also injured after being bitten, police sources told ANI.
The protest was organised by the Indian Youth Congress, with demonstrators marching from Raisina Road towards Jantar Mantar to demand Kumar's resignation. Police deployed barricades and security personnel along the route.
The confrontation escalated when demonstrators broke through barricades and blocked buses carrying detainees, according to reports. Police subsequently moved to clear the area.
The police figures relate to the Indian Youth Congress-led protest and should not be conflated with the CJP's October 2 demonstration in Mumbai.
Indian Youth Congress national president Uday Bhanu Chib led Sunday's march in Delhi. The protesters accused the Central government of shielding Kumar and demanded his immediate resignation.
Chib criticised the police action and said protesters should be allowed to proceed to the designated demonstration site at Jantar Mantar. Other IYC leaders also criticised the government over its handling of the controversy and alleged that attempts were being made to protect the CEC.
The allegations against Kumar remain part of a wider political dispute over the SIR exercise. The Election Commission has defended its procedures and rejected suggestions that disagreements among election commissioners amount to a breakdown in institutional functioning.
(With inputs from ANI)
