CJP Protest in Mumbai: Ahead of the protest organized by the CJP in Mumbai at 4 PM, co-convener Saurav Das stated that the organization would only call off the protest after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
Live Updates: CJP Protest in Mumbai – The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) is set to hold a protest on Friday, October 2, at Shivaji Park in Mumbai’s Dadar district, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls. In a statement, the organization announced that the initial demonstration would take place at 4:00 PM at Gate No. 6 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park.
The CJP has called on the public to join the protest, which marks the beginning of a series of nationwide demonstrations and public mobilization events scheduled to continue through October. CJP founder Abhijit Dipke stated that the campaign would culminate in a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
“Gyanesh Kumar is a traitor”
Speaking at an interaction at the Mumbai Press Club, Dipke demanded Kumar’s resignation and warned that the CJP would continue nationwide protests if he did not step down.
“Gyanesh Kumar is a traitor,” Dipke said. “We will not leave Jantar Mantar until he resigns. Gyanesh Kumar should resign and face criminal charges.”
Dipke, a leader of the CJP, also questioned the Mumbai Police’s decision to deny permission for the protest. He argued that if Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis could hold political rallies at Shivaji Park, the CJP should also be permitted to stage a protest there. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), a leader of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) stated: “I am not afraid of going to jail. I will return to protest again and again.”
Protests have erupted across West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Goa.
CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde stated that the campaign would expand to several other cities, including locations in Goa, Bengaluru, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Patna, and Ranchi.
Shinde said: “We will hold protests in Goa, Bengaluru, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Patna, and Ranchi. If Kumar does not resign, we will stage protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi starting in late October.”
The movement also stated that it would remain independent and would not join the opposition’s protest against the Election Commission scheduled for October 6.
Security measures have been stepped up at Dadar Station.
Meanwhile, railway authorities have tightened security at Dadar Station in anticipation of the potential protest at Shivaji Park.
A Central Railway spokesperson stated that approximately 40 additional personnel, including Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff, have been deployed to the station. A Western Railway spokesperson reported the deployment of an additional 50 staff members and RPF personnel.
Dadar Station is part of both the Western and Central Railway networks and is one of Mumbai’s busiest railway stations. It is also the major railway station closest to Shivaji Park.
Mumbai Police denied permission for the proposed protest, citing restrictions on gatherings at Shivaji Park, the lack of necessary municipal permits, and concerns regarding traffic disruption and the movement of emergency vehicles.
The ECI “Dissent” Controversy
The protest by the chief activist comes at a time when the Election Commission is facing heavy criticism over the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls. Controversy has intensified following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi dissented at least 14 times over the past ten months regarding various decisions and orders—some of which, they claimed, were issued without their knowledge.
However, the Election Commission maintains that the three-member panel reached all decisions unanimously, including those concerning special electoral constituencies.