On Sunday, Abhijeet Dipke, the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) founder, took to X to accuse Meta of banning hundreds of reels that called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation—claiming the removals were ordered by the BJP government.
The allegation comes as CJP gears up for a nationwide agitation starting October 2 from Mumbai, where it will rally on Shivaji Park. The party’s demand stems from concerns over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which it says has been manipulated.
Mumbai Police denied CJP permission to protest at Shivaji Park, citing a 2013 Bombay High Court judgment and a 2016 state order that restrict gatherings there. Dipke challenged the denial, pointing to a political rally by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde that took place on the same ground earlier this year.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk backed the planned protest, saying he would "definitely" support the stir and hoping other voices would join to hold the poll panel accountable. A local shopkeeper on Laxmi Road in Mumbai, who runs a small stall near the park, said he worries the protest could disrupt traffic but also feels the party’s message is urgent.
Dipke’s tweet has sparked a debate on social media about digital censorship, while Meta has yet to respond. The CJP will hold its protest on October 2, and the party is preparing legal filings to challenge the police order and demand a court‑ordered right to assemble.