New Delhi: Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were held in Delhi and Mumbai on Friday, with demonstrators demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
While the Delhi Police detained protesters attempting to gather near Jantar Mantar, the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest was held at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park despite the Mumbai Police denying permission for the gathering.
Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah join CJP protest
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi joined the CJP protest in Mumbai on Friday evening. While speaking to reporters, she said, “Seeing the large numbers in which Mumbaikars have gathered here makes me feel immensely proud. People often say that Mumbaikars don’t care about anything, but this is a question of our democracy, our rights, and our voice.”
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah joined the CJP protest in Mumbai. In a video shared by CJP founder and national convenor Abhijeet Dipke, Shah is seen meeting and hugging Dipke.
Dipke, who appeared surprised by Shah’s presence, captioned the video, “Am I dreaming or what?”
Shah told Dipke that he had come to hug him, shake hands, and support him. Dipke exclaimed that he was a ‘huge fan.’
“I had no idea you were here, sir. It’s a big honour,” he added.
Shah had previously expressed support and solidarity for the CJP-led student movement. In July, he publicly criticised the police action against protesters and voiced solidarity with the students.
Vishal Dadlani backs Mumbai protest
Singer and composer Vishal Dadlani was also seen joining the protest at Shivaji Park.
Addressing the gathering, Vishal said he was glad to be part of the movement.
On stage, he said, “This is such a beautiful sight. I didn’t get the opportunity to be with him (Abhijit) in Delhi, but I’m getting the opportunity to be here with him. This movement will continue until…Go Gyanu Go,” calling for Kumar’s resignation.
Also Read: CJP’s 3 demands after ECI row: Resign, freeze SIR, put on hold upcoming polls
What is CJP demanding?
The CJP announced a nationwide agitation against Kumar, beginning with the Mumbai protest on October 2 and eventually moving to other cities before culminating in a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Its principal demands include Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and initiation of criminal proceedings against him, freezing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and restoring the January 2025 voter list, repealing the 2023 law and reforming the Election Commission. The group has also demanded a halt to the SIR process.
The Mumbai Police had denied permission for the protest at Shivaji Park, citing restrictions on gatherings at the venue as well as concerns over traffic and noise pollution. CJP subsequently announced its “Jail Bharo Andolan” at the same location.
More than 500 detained in Delhi
In Delhi, protesters from opposition parties and student organisations, including AISA, SFI and NSUI, gathered to demand Kumar’s resignation and protest against the SIR exercise.
Delhi Police detained more than 500 protesters from Jantar Mantar and nearby areas, according to multiple media reports. AISA national president Neha Bora and AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj were among those detained.
Edited by Maryam Hassan