Mumbai Police Tighten Security At Shivaji Park Ahead Of CJP Jail-Bharo Protest, Deploy Anti-Riot Squad, QRT & Dog Squad

A political confrontation over electoral rolls and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is set to spill onto the streets on October 2, with protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar planned in Mumbai and Delhi. Security has been tightened around the proposed demonstrations as organisers and supporters press their demands over the functioning of the poll panel and the revision of electoral rolls.

In Mumbai, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced a 'Jail Bharo Andolan' at Shivaji Park at 4 pm. Dipke has been campaigning against Kumar and has demanded his resignation over the SIR exercise. The CJP had earlier sought permission to hold the protest at Shivaji Park but said Mumbai Police denied it. Police, however, said they were not empowered to grant permission for a gathering at the venue in view of a 2013 Bombay High Court order and also cited Shivaji Park's status as a silence zone.

Ahead of the protest, Dipke was seen on the streets of Mumbai promoting the gathering, repeatedly calling out, "Shivaji Park" from a rickshaw. He also met students at Ambedkar Hostel in Chembur as part of his mobilisation campaign.

The CJP has outlined three key demands: Kumar's resignation and criminal proceedings against him; a freeze on the SIR exercise, restoration of the January 2025 voter list and an independent inquiry; and repeal of the 2023 law governing appointments to the Election Commission, followed by a new law involving civil society participation. These are demands made by the protest organisers and do not represent established findings against the Election Commission.

The CJP has also indicated that its agitation could expand beyond Mumbai. Dipke has announced plans for protests in other cities if Kumar does not resign.

Singer Vishal Dadlani has also said he would join the CJP's 'Jail Bharo Andolan' in Mumbai. He urged people to gather at Shivaji Park at 4 pm and posted a message targeting the CEC on social media.

Meanwhile, a separate protest has been planned at Delhi's Jantar Mantar by social activists and student groups. The gathering was called by the All India Students' Association (AISA), Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan. The organisers have demanded action against Kumar, citing concerns over electoral rolls, the SIR exercise and the conduct of elections.

Delhi Police denied permission for the proposed Jantar Mantar protest and tightened security in central Delhi. Barricades were placed around the area, while additional police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed in anticipation of the gathering. Police sources estimated that around 3,000 to 4,000 people could attend.

Security and traffic restrictions have also been intensified around Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place and other parts of central Delhi. Authorities have imposed restrictions on movement in the area, while several Delhi Metro stations faced entry and exit restrictions ahead of the planned demonstration.

The protests come amid a wider political dispute over the SIR exercise. Opposition parties and activists have raised concerns about changes to electoral rolls and the possibility of eligible voters being excluded. The Election Commission has defended the revision process, saying its decisions were taken unanimously by the three-member commission and that the exercise is intended to identify and remove duplicate or ineligible entries.

The October 2 demonstrations therefore bring together separate groups and demands, with the CJP leading its Mumbai mobilisation while student groups, activists and political leaders have called for a gathering in Delhi. The protests are expected to keep the debate over electoral-roll revisions and the Election Commission's functioning in the political spotlight.