The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), already notorious for its sit‑in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar that ousted Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in July, announced a demonstration in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park to press for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation—an echo of last month’s plan to converge in Delhi on October 6.
The police in both cities slapped Section 163 prohibitory orders on the day of the protest. The order bans public meetings of five or more people, processions, picketing and dharnas without written permission. It also bars shouting slogans, speeches and carrying weapons or banners. A senior officer said the move was meant to preserve public safety, maintain order and keep traffic flowing.
Multi‑layer barricades now block Tolstoy Marg, Janpath Road and Sansad Marg, while the Delhi Metro has shut entry and exit at eleven stations, including Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat. The same cut‑off extends to the New Delhi area until further notice.
Abhijeet Dipke, CJP founder, told reporters in Mumbai that “Gyanesh Kumar should resign and face criminal charges.” He added, “I am not afraid of going to jail; I will return to protest again and again.” Dipke also said the movement will stay independent of any political programme, though he praised the INDIA alliance for its stance on alleged election rigging.
The controversy over Kumar stems from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Former commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded objections on at least fourteen occasions over ten months. The election commission later clarified that all decisions—including those on the SIR—were taken unanimously by the three‑member body.
Ahead of the CJP’s demonstration, opposition MPs from the INDIA alliance plan a protest on October 6 in Delhi. The police have warned that any attempt to assemble without permission will trigger Section 163 enforcement and could lead to arrests.