CJP stresses non-violence, urges citizens to join October 10 Delhi protest
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday said its planned October 10 protest in New Delhi would be peaceful, calling on citizens who want “free and fair elections” to join the agitation if Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar does not resign.
Background
The CJP has been demanding Mr. Kumar’s resignation, alleging irregularities in electoral processes and the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The party contends that these issues have eroded public confidence in the electoral system and require immediate redress through leadership change at the Election Commission.
Planned Delhi demonstration
In a statement, CJP founder and convener Abhijeet Dipke said that supporters from across the country would assemble in the national capital and begin a mass protest at Jantar Mantar if Mr. Kumar did not step down. “If Gyanesh Kumar doesn’t resign, cockroaches from across India will march to Delhi and protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10,” Mr. Dipke said.
Anticipating possible restrictions, he added: “And if the Delhi Police tries to stop us, wherever they stop us will become our Jantar Mantar.”
Commitment to non-violence
The party underscored that the Delhi protest would “strictly follow a non-violent philosophy,” noting that the mobilisation would draw “structural inspiration from historic civil disobedience to protect public faith in democratic institutions.” Mr. Dipke said the movement would “walk on the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi,” reiterating that the agitation would remain peaceful.
According to the leadership, “bureaucratic blockades” would not deter the campaign, with the CJP pointing to previous prolonged demonstrations and recent detentions as evidence of its resolve to continue pressuring the Election Commission for accountability.
Earlier Mumbai mobilisation
Saturday’s statement followed a CJP protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday, where thousands of people gathered despite police restrictions to press for Mr. Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls. Speakers at the Mumbai gathering also called for a renewed push in Delhi if the CEC did not step down, setting the stage for the October 10 demonstration.
Call to citizens
Framing the agitation as a defense of democratic norms, Mr. Dipke appealed for broad public participation. “This is a fight to save our democracy,” he said. “Every citizen who wants free and fair elections must join us on October 10.”
The CJP said its supporters would converge in New Delhi and proceed to Jantar Mantar for the protest, with contingencies in place should law enforcement impose restrictions on movement or assembly. The party did not announce any changes to its plan as of Saturday and maintained that the demonstration will go ahead as scheduled if the CEC does not resign.
