Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Election Commission and the SIR in the country, Mumbai’s Shivaji Park became the epicenter of a massive political and social demonstration on Gandhi Jayanti. Hundreds of people gathered at the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke led the protest. From the stage, he spoke about transparency in the electoral process and the protection of voters’ rights. He also announced the transformation of the movement, which began in Mumbai, into a nationwide campaign.
The protest held at Shivaji Park received support from several prominent figures. Singer Vishal Dadlani and actors Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah also visited the protest site, expressing their concerns about democracy and the electoral process.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray also supported the protest. He appealed to people to join the movement, saying that this fight is not about any political party, but about democracy, the Constitution, and the right to vote. He alleged that attempts were being made to suppress the voice of the people and that it needed to be reclaimed.
During the protest, Abhijeet Dipke delivered a speech, in which slogans like “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” were raised. A large number of people present expressed their displeasure, questioning the functioning of the Election Commission. Many protesters arrived with posters and banners in their hands.
Organizers say that this movement will not be limited to Mumbai alone. It will be expanded to other states in the coming days. Meanwhile, the INDIA Block has also decided to hold a “Save Democracy” march across the country from October 2 to 8.
Amidst the protests, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rejected the opposition’s allegations. He said that the Election Commission has already clarified its position and the narrative being spread against it is not based on facts. He said that such attempts will not succeed.
Meanwhile, protests against the Election Commission and SIR were also seen at several places, including Jantar Mantar in Delhi. It is clear that this issue has now taken the form of a national political debate and there are indications that it will intensify further in the coming days.