HighLights
  1. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced Delhi protest on October 10.
  2. Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged voter deletions.
  3. Protest at Jantar Mantar will be a peaceful demonstration.

Hours after thousands gathered at Mumbai's Shivaji Park for a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke announced a protest in New Delhi on October 10.

In a post on X, Dipke stated that if CEC Gyanesh Kumar does not resign, party members and supporters from across India will march to Delhi and protest at Jantar Mantar. He added that if police stop them en route, the group will hold its demonstration wherever they are stopped, turning that location into Jantar Mantar.

ALSO READ: Mumbai CJP Protest: Dipke Warns Of 'Jantar Mantar 2.0'; 75-Year-Old Man Dies At Shivaji Park | Updates

"Will Be Peaceful Andolan"

Dipke stated that the proposed protest will be a "peaceful andolan" following the path of Mahatma Gandhi. He added that it remains up to the government and the Delhi Police to respect the right to peaceful assembly or respond with force, citing the police action witnessed during the July 20 demonstration.

Calling on citizens to support the protest, Dipke wrote, "This is a fight to save our democracy. Every citizen who wants free & fair elections must join."

Why Is The CJP Protesting?

The CJP's nationwide agitation stems from allegations surrounding the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. CJP leadership had previously issued a deadline for Kumar to resign, warning of protests if he did not step down.

Citing reports by The Indian Express, the CJP claims that the SIR exercise led to mass voter deletions that disproportionately favour the ruling party. Questions surrounding the exercise have further escalated following the revelation that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi placed objections on record at least 14 times over 10 months regarding alterations made to voter lists.

Labelling Kumar a "threat to democracy," Dipke and other CJP leaders have demanded his resignation, a freeze on voter lists of 2025, and the repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment process for Election Commissioners.

ALSO READ: Abhijeet Dipke Briefly Detained By Mumbai Police Ahead Of CJP's October 2 Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

What ECI Said?

The poll body has defended its actions, stating that differences of opinion inside institutions are normal, and emphasising that all decisions regarding the electoral roll revision exercise received unanimous backing from the commissioners.

(With Inputs From Agencies)


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