New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will launch a nationwide protest on October 2, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a freeze on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the agitation from Mumbai, where the party had planned a demonstration at Shivaji Park on Gandhi Jayanti.
He said protests will continue until Kumar steps down as the chief of the poll authority.
"Protests will be held in Goa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. If he does not resign, then a protest will be held at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi from October end," he said.
The CJP has demanded that Kumar resign as Chief Election Commissioner and has called for criminal proceedings and an inquiry into his conduct.
Taking a dig at the BJP, the CJP leader alleged that if any elections are held based on the SIR list, Prime Minister Narendra Modi can easily win even the US elections.
“Criminal charges must be slapped against Gyanesh Kumar. A probe must be launched against him. Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner must be made transparent with civil society’s participation,” said Dipke.
To Protect our Democracy, we put forward these 3 demands:
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 1, 2026
1: Gyanesh Kumar must resign, face criminal proceedings, and reveal who gave the orders.
2: Freeze the SIR, restore the January 2025 voter list, and order an independent inquiry.
3: Repeal the 2023 appointment law and… pic.twitter.com/pRy2AhySOM
Kumar took charge as India's 26th Chief Election Commissioner on February 19, 2025. The Election Commission's official website lists him as the incumbent CEC.
Dipke has also appealed to citizens to join the agitation, which he has described as a campaign to protect democracy.
The CJP's protest comes amid a wider political dispute over the SIR process and the Election Commission's functioning.
Also Read:
What is the dispute over the CEC appointment process?
Dipke has criticised the 2023 law governing the appointment of the CEC and other Election Commissioners and has argued for greater transparency and civil-society participation.
Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the President appoints the CEC and other Election Commissioners on the recommendation of a three-member selection committee.
The committee consists of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister. A separate search committee headed by the Union Law and Justice Minister prepares a panel of candidates.
The Chief Justice of India is not a member of the selection committee under the 2023 law. Therefore, the CJP's demand concerning greater participation in the appointment process is a proposal for changing the existing framework.
Mumbai police denies permission for Shivaji park stir
The CJP had initially planned its October 2 protest at Shivaji Park.
Mumbai Police subsequently denied permission, saying the proposed gathering could create traffic congestion, affect access to nearby hospitals and violate restrictions applicable to the area. Authorities advised the organisers to seek an alternative venue.
Dipke nevertheless announced that the agitation would proceed as a "Jail Bharo Andolan".
On September 29, a group also confronted CJP members at Shivaji Park while they were speaking to media persons about the planned protest. The incident occurred 2 days after police denied permission for the gathering.
