Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Mumbai Police Says It Cannot Permit CJP October 2 Protest
The Cockroach Janata Party wanted to hold a protest in Mumbai on October 2.
Its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, said police had denied permission.
He warned that supporters might voluntarily get arrested in a protest called a Jail Bharo Andolan.
The protest is connected to the party’s demand that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
CJP also wants changes to voter-list revisions and election laws.
Police said they cannot permit gatherings at Shivaji Park because it is a silence zone.
They told the group to ask for permission at another location.
The dispute comes amid reports that two election commissioners objected to some Special Intensive Revision decisions.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said Mumbai Police denied permission for its October 2 protest.
Dipke threatened a Mumbai Jail Bharo Andolan if the right to protest was denied.
Police said it was not empowered to permit gatherings at Shivaji Park, designated a silence zone.
Police advised CJP to seek an alternative Mumbai venue, saying any request would be considered appropriately.
CJP demands Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, a pause to SIR, restoration of the January 2025 voter list, and election-law reforms.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janata Party, led by Abhijeet Dipke, and Mumbai Police are involved; CJP’s demands concern Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- CJP says police denied permission for its October 2 protest, while police says it is not empowered to permit gatherings at Shivaji Park.
- When
- The police clarification and Dipke’s announcement were reported on September 27, 2026; the protest was planned for October 2, Gandhi Jayanti.
- Where
- The proposed protest was in Mumbai, initially involving Shivaji Park; CJP described it as the start of a nationwide protest.
- Why
- CJP is protesting over demands involving Gyanesh Kumar, the Special Intensive Revision, the January 2025 voter list, and reform of election law.
CJP’s Position
Mumbai Police’s Position
Permission for the protest
CJP’s Position
CJP says denying permission suppresses citizens’ voices and has threatened a Jail Bharo Andolan if the protest cannot proceed.
Mumbai Police’s Position
Police said it is not empowered to grant permission for gatherings at Shivaji Park because the area is a silence zone under a 2013 Bombay High Court order.
Location of the demonstration
CJP’s Position
CJP planned to begin its protest in Mumbai on October 2 and said it could expand the action to cities across India.
Mumbai Police’s Position
Police advised the applicant to find an alternative venue in Mumbai and submit a permission request for consideration.
Election Commission demands
CJP’s Position
CJP is demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, criminal proceedings, a pause to the Special Intensive Revision, restoration of the January 2025 voter list, and election-body reforms.
Mumbai Police’s Position
The reports do not provide a response from Gyanesh Kumar or the Election Commission to CJP’s demands, although they note that two election commissioners objected on record to some SIR-related decisions.
- Organiser
- Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)
- Founder
- Abhijeet Dipke
- Planned protest
- October 2 in Mumbai
- Police explanation
- Mumbai Police said it is not empowered to grant permission for gatherings at Shivaji Park under a 2013 Bombay High Court order; the area is a silence zone.
- Alternative offered
- Police advised applicant Ajinkya Shinde to seek another venue in Mumbai and apply for permission.
- CJP’s main demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and initiation of criminal proceedings against him.
- Other demands
- Freeze the Special Intensive Revision, restore the January 2025 voter list, repeal the 2023 Election Commission law, and reform the poll body.
- Proposed escalation
- A Jail Bharo Andolan, in which protesters voluntarily court arrest, if the right to protest is denied.
