Archive · 3 Oct 2026
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.
- When
- Friday; CJP said a further march would take place on October 10 if Kumar did not resign.
- Where
- Shivaji Park, Mumbai; the proposed march is to Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- Why
- Protesters alleged irregularities in electoral proceedings and said names had been removed from voter lists.
- 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