Mumbai Police Denies CJP Shivaji Park Location for Protest, Party Hints at 'Jail Bharo'

The Mumbai Police has denied permission to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to hold a protest at Shivaji Park on October 2 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, prompting party founder Abhijeet Dipke to announce a possible “Jail Bharo Andolan” on Gandhi Jayanti. The party had sought permission for the demonstration as part of its campaign demanding Kumar’s resignation and raising concerns over the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

According to the police communication, the department is not empowered to grant permission for public gatherings at Shivaji Park under a 2013 Bombay High Court order and subsequent Maharashtra government guidelines issued in 2016. Police also cited the absence of the required permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for use of the ground. The authorities further referred to concerns over noise pollution, traffic congestion and possible disruption to access for hospitals in the surrounding area.

The CJP had initially sought to organise its October 2 protest at Shivaji Park after announcing plans for a nationwide agitation if Gyanesh Kumar did not step down as Chief Election Commissioner. The party has linked its campaign to allegations concerning the SIR exercise and has demanded greater scrutiny of electoral-roll revisions. These allegations have been made by the CJP, while the Election Commission has maintained that its decisions and orders followed the applicable legal and statutory processes.

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Following the denial, Dipke said the party would continue with its protest plans and warned that CJP members could court arrest if authorities attempted to prevent the demonstration. A “Jail Bharo Andolan” generally refers to a form of protest in which participants deliberately offer themselves for arrest as part of a civil agitation. Dipke said the proposed action would be carried out in Mumbai on October 2 if the party was not permitted to demonstrate.

The CJP has put forward several demands linked to its campaign, including the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, a halt to the SIR exercise and restoration of an earlier voter list, as well as changes to the legal framework governing the Election Commission. The party’s planned protest follows reports about disagreements among Election Commission officials over aspects of the SIR process. The CJP has cited those developments in support of its demands, while the allegations and interpretations surrounding the process remain contested.

The denial of permission means the proposed Shivaji Park venue cannot be used for the CJP demonstration under the current decision. Police have indicated that organisers can seek an alternative venue in Mumbai and apply for permission, which would be considered according to the applicable rules. Dipke, however, has said the party intends to proceed with its planned mobilisation and will consider the proposed “Jail Bharo Andolan” if it is prevented from holding the protest on October 2.

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