11 hrs ago
Celebrities Back CJP Protest Over Election Commission Irregularities
The Cockroach Janta Party held a protest in Mumbai about how voter lists were being changed.
The protesters said there were problems with the process and asked election chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Actor Shabana Azmi spoke at the gathering and said people should be able to protect their voting rights.
Actor Naseeruddin Shah and several other celebrities also showed support.
Some celebrities shared or commented on a video from the protest online.
The party said it plans to march in Delhi on October 10 if Kumar does not resign.
The article reports the protesters’ claims but does not include a response from the Election Commission.
The Cockroach Janta Party-led protest took place at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday.
Protesters called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
Shabana Azmi addressed the crowd, framing the protest as a matter of democracy, rights and people’s voices.
Naseeruddin Shah, Vishal Dadlani, Vishal Bhardwaj and Atul Kulkarni also showed support; Dia Mirza and Konkona Sen Sharma reposted a protest video.
CJP said it would march to Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar did not resign.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party, its founder Abhijeet Dipke, Shabana Azmi and other supporters, including several celebrities.
- What
- A protest calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
- Where
- Shivaji Park, Mumbai; the proposed march is to Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- When
- Friday; CJP said a further march would take place on October 10 if Kumar did not resign.
- Why
- Protesters alleged irregularities in electoral proceedings and said names had been removed from voter lists.
Key facts
- Organiser
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Protest location
- Shivaji Park, Mumbai
- Key demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Issue raised
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise
- Celebrity speakers and supporters
- Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Vishal Dadlani, Vishal Bhardwaj and Atul Kulkarni
- Proposed next action
- A march to Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not resign
Quotes
Shabana Azmi
Actor who addressed the CJP protest in Mumbai
“This is a question of our democracy. It is a question of our rights. It is a question of our voice. We have been told since childhood to cast our votes, claim our rights, and raise our voices. But when our fundamental right is snatched away or manipulated, what is a person supposed to do? Naturally, they will protest, and this ‘people’s power’ is unstoppable now.”
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“After today’s protest, we will see if action is taken or if we have to keep fighting this battle. We have to fight the battle for as long as it takes.”
livemint.com
Sources
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