Cockroach Janta Party co-founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday said the Mumbai Police has denied permission for launching its protest against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the city on October 2. Dipke warned CJP will launch a Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti if their “right to protest” is denied.
“Mumbai Police has also denied permission for our protest on 2nd October. Such tactics to suppress citizens’ voices are unacceptable," Dipke wrote in a post on X.
The Cockroach Janta Party gave a call for nationwide protests on October 2 if the CEC did not step down by September 26. The outcry followed allegations of dissent within the election commission over its practices and decisions. CJP had said it will launch the countrywide protest from Mumbai.
Deep Dive
Why did the Mumbai Police deny permission for the CJP protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
What are the main reasons behind the calls for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation?
What actions will CJP take if their protest is suppressed?
Mumbai Police explains reason, Dipke hits back
Explaining the reason behind the denial of permission, the Mumbai Police said it does not have the power to grant permission for any gathering at Shivaji Park. "It has been explained to applicant Ajinkya Shinde and he has also been advised to look for alternate venues in Mumbai City for the protest and ask for permission, which will be considered in an appropriate manner," the police notification read.
{{/usCountry}}Explaining the reason behind the denial of permission, the Mumbai Police said it does not have the power to grant permission for any gathering at Shivaji Park. "It has been explained to applicant Ajinkya Shinde and he has also been advised to look for alternate venues in Mumbai City for the protest and ask for permission, which will be considered in an appropriate manner," the police notification read.
{{/usCountry}}Dipke hit back at the Mumbai police statement, asking, “How was Eknath Shinde granted the permission then?”
What is the row over dissent within EC
CEC Kumar is at the heart of a controversy surrounding the Election Commission after an investigative report by The Indian Express alleged differences between the two election commissioners and Kumar.
Rejecting these claims, the Election Commission on Saturday reasserted that key decisions, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, were taken unanimously by the full commission.
The poll body has maintained that differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations and asserted that its orders have full legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.
Dipke appealed for countrywide agitation on September 25 as he posted on X, saying, "If Gyanesh Kumar does not resign by tomorrow, CJP will begin its nationwide protest from Mumbai on 2 October, and take it to cities across India." He urged the citizens to pledge to save the country's democracy on this Gandhi Jayanti.
(With PTI inputs)