Protests across India demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing allegations of voter-roll manipulation, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and opposition groups clash with authorities over mass demonstrations.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and opposition groups have escalated nationwide protests against India’s Election Commission Chief Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of orchestrating a voter-roll revision process that removed 130 million names from electoral lists. The demonstrations, which began in late September 2026, reached a peak on October 2-3, with clashes between protesters and police in Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke warned that if Kumar does not resign, cockroaches from across India will march to Delhi and protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10,
a pledge echoed by other opposition leaders.
Protesters Accuse Election Commission of Systemic Voter Disenfranchisement
The protests center on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which critics claim disproportionately removed eligible voters, particularly from marginalized communities. NPR reported that 130 million people were struck from voter lists during the SIR. The Election Commission maintains the exercise aimed to eliminate duplicate, deceased, or ineligible entries, but opposition leaders and civil society groups argue it was a political tool to favor the ruling BJP. In Hyderabad, actor Prakash Raj condemned the SIR as an attempt to kill democracy,
demanding the resignation of Kumar and the repeal of the 2023 Chief Election Commissioner Act.
Protesters in Mumbai gathered at Shivaji Park on October 2, despite police denying permission for the event. The CJP, which organized the rally, alleged that the SIR had irregularities and called for Kumar’s resignation. Mumbai Police registered an FIR against CJP leaders and 400-500 supporters under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Maharashtra Police Act, citing unauthorized assembly. However, sources like the Hindustan Times noted that hundreds of protesters attended, including artists and musicians, though police deployed 300 personnel to manage the gathering.
BJP Leader Calls Mumbai Protest a ‘Complete Failure’
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pravin Darekar dismissed the Mumbai protest as a complete failure,
claiming that the people of Mumbai did not respond
and that opposition parties like Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS were not represented. He cited empty roads and a lack of public support, contrasting with reports from the Hindustan Times and Al Jazeera that described hundreds of participants. The CJP, however, framed the event as a success, with Dipke stating, the protest was the beginning of a wider agitation
and vowing to continue protests until Kumar resigns.
In Delhi, police detained over 700 protesters at Jantar Mantar, including former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, as part of a crackdown on unauthorized gatherings. Reports noted that the INDIA alliance, an opposition grouping, planned a march to the Election Commission office on October 6. Meanwhile, the CJP announced a nationwide march on New Delhi on October 10, vowing to walk on the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi
if the police attempted to block them.
Critics Accuse Police of Suppressing Free Speech
Protesters in Hyderabad faced similar crackdowns, with police storming a tent at Dharna Chowk and urging attendees to disperse. Despite the restrictions, hundreds gathered, with placards demanding Kumar’s resignation and the scrapping of the SIR.
The CJP’s actions have sparked a broader debate over electoral integrity. While the Election Commission insists the SIR is necessary to maintain electoral integrity,
critics argue it undermines democratic principles. Dipke’s call for a fight to save our democracy
resonates with youth-led movements across the country, as seen in the Al Jazeera report on protests in Mumbai and Delhi. With the CJP planning larger demonstrations and the INDIA alliance preparing its own rallies, the pressure on Kumar and the Election Commission is likely to intensify in the coming weeks.