Hundreds of protesters gathered at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday, October 2, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over concerns related to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The demonstration went ahead amid heavy police deployment and barricades around the park and Dadar railway station, despite police having earlier denied permission for the event.
The protest was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, and was scheduled for 4 pm. Actor Naseeruddin Shah and singer Vishal Dadlani were among those who joined the demonstration, according to a report by the Press Trust of India carried by Mid-Day. Student groups, activists and other participants also attended the gathering.
Police placed barricades at several entry points to Shivaji Park and deployed additional personnel in and around the park and Dadar station. The security arrangements were put in place as protesters began arriving from the afternoon. Some local residents had opposed holding the demonstration at the park, according to the report.
Protesters carried placards, tricolours and banners calling for Kumar to step down. Some posters displayed slogans such as “Gyanesh BRO JUST RESIGN”. Participants also used satirical posters, musical instruments, slogans and film references to highlight their demands. The demonstration coincided with Gandhi Jayanti, with some protesters referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings on nonviolence and simplicity. Other placards referred to Dr BR Ambedkar.
Members of the Students’ Federation of India were present at the protest, while groups affiliated with the All India Students Federation from Pune used musical instruments during the demonstration, according to PTI. The gathering was also linked to concerns about alleged irregularities in the management and revision of electoral rolls.
The CJP’s demand follows reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months regarding decisions and orders connected with electoral-roll management and the Special Intensive Revision. Some of the reported objections concerned orders that the two commissioners said had been issued without their knowledge.
The Election Commission has said that the three-member commission took its decisions unanimously, including decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision. The competing claims form the stated basis of the protesters’ demands for Kumar’s resignation.
The Mumbai Police had earlier denied permission for the proposed demonstration at Shivaji Park. Organisers nevertheless proceeded with the protest, while police and other security agencies maintained a large presence around the park and Dadar station. The CJP has said it plans to continue its agitation in other parts of the country over its demands concerning the Election Commission and electoral rolls.
