Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Shivaji Park Residents Oppose CJP Protest; Akhtar Uses Sarcasm
People living near Shivaji Park complained about a large protest held there.
They said the crowd and noise made daily life difficult.
Some businesses reportedly had to close because of the crowd.
The protest was organized by the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP.
It called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to leave his post.
Thousands of people attended the protest, which began around 4 p.m.
Javed Akhtar made a sarcastic comment about the residents’ complaints.
He suggested they should make the same complaints when political parties hold rallies there.
Some residents said protesting is allowed, but it should be peaceful and follow the rules.
Residents near Mumbai’s Shivaji Park cited noise, crowds and disruption while opposing the CJP agitation.
The protest sought the ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and began around 4 p.m. on Friday.
Thousands attended despite the protest reportedly lacking police permission, according to the reports.
Javed Akhtar sarcastically questioned whether residents would object similarly to political rallies at Shivaji Park.
Some residents said they support the right to protest but want demonstrations to follow rules and avoid public disruption.
- Who
- Residents near Shivaji Park, the Cockroach Janta Party, Javed Akhtar and protest participants, including Shabana Azmi.
- What
- Residents opposed a CJP protest seeking the ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing noise and disruption.
- When
- The protest took place on Friday, October 2, beginning around 4 p.m.; residents had confronted CJP members on September 29.
- Where
- Shivaji Park and its surrounding area in Mumbai.
- Why
- Residents said the crowd, noise and commotion disrupted homes, businesses and normal daily activities.
Residents’ Concerns
Protesters’ Rights and Criticism
Noise and disruption
Residents’ Concerns
Residents said the protest caused noise, crowd-related inconvenience and disruption, with some saying they had to close their establishments.
Protesters’ Rights and Criticism
The reports do not give a detailed response from CJP to these specific complaints, but the protest drew thousands of participants and was held at Shivaji Park.
Right to protest
Residents’ Concerns
Residents said citizens have the right to demonstrate, but protests should follow rules and preserve a peaceful atmosphere.
Protesters’ Rights and Criticism
The CJP held an agitation seeking the removal of the chief election commissioner, while Shabana Azmi participated and addressed the crowd.
Consistency of objections
Residents’ Concerns
Residents objected to the impact of demonstrations on the surrounding area rather than specifically to the CJP’s programme.
Protesters’ Rights and Criticism
Javed Akhtar sarcastically suggested residents would be equally or more vocal when political parties hold public meetings at Shivaji Park, which has hosted major rallies.
- Protesting group
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Demand
- The ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Protest start time
- Around 4 p.m. on Friday, October 2
- Attendance
- Thousands reportedly gathered near Shivaji Park
- Residents’ concerns
- Noise pollution, inconvenience, crowding and disruption to daily activities
- Police permission
- The protest was reported to have taken place without police permission
- Public figures
- Javed Akhtar commented on X, while Shabana Azmi addressed the protest crowd
