BJP stages massive show of force demanding resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, attacks Modi and government

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s immediate resignation and demands for transparency in the Election Commission’s functioning prompted the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), led by founder Abhijeet Dipake, to stage a large-scale display of strength on Friday at Shivaji Park in Maharashtra’s capital. Held on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, the protest saw participation from thousands of youth, workers, and various student organizations, including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). Protesters accused the Election Commission of gross incompetence, serious failure, and systematically stripping citizens of their right to vote. The demonstration turned the historic grounds of Shivaji Park into a sea of protest. Protesters waved tricolors, satirical memes, posters, and large banners bearing slogans such as “Save Democracy” and “Gyanesh Kumar, Resign.” The crowd repeatedly chanted “Go Gyanu, Go.” Targeting the Election Commission, the CJP alleged that widespread manipulation and irregularities occurred in the recently conducted Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, through which the voting rights of lakhs of citizens were stripped away. The organization labeled the Commission’s current leadership as “incompetent, dishonest, and traitors to the democratic framework.” The CJP demanded that Mr. Kumar resign and that criminal cases be registered against him. Additionally, it called for the immediate suspension of the ongoing SIR process, the freezing of the disputed 2025 voter list, the conduct of elections based on the old list, and reforms in the CEC appointment process with civil society participation. Several prominent cultural and political figures attended the protest. Renowned actress Shabana Azmi, actor Naseeruddin Shah, Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, actress Sharlène Chopra, musician and singer Vishal Dadlani, and documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan were present. Patwardhan was recording the program through a camera, while Dadlani energized the crowd with his live performance and speech. Sharlène Chopra stated that she supports this movement of Jinn Zee, as the right to vote belongs to everyone. An unexpected speaker on stage was 15-year-old Delhi student Anushka, who had recently become controversial for allegedly using inappropriate language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a student protest at Jantar Mantar in July 2026. Taking the microphone from Dipake, Anushka said, “Our government is in shock and panic. Just as cockroaches run away when the light is turned on, our government has become like those cockroaches.”

Adopting a unique style, most participants wore T-shirts bearing the picture of Mahatma Gandhi. In his address, Mr. Dipake launched a strong attack on the central government, Prime Minister Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Home Minister Amit Shah, and the state’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He asked the crowd if they were ready to go to jail, to which the people responded in unison, “We are ready to go to jail.” Questioning the government’s failure, Mr. Dipake said that the government is so incompetent that people have been forced to take to the streets again within just two months. Directly targeting Mr. Fadnavis, Mr. Dipake said, “Mr. Fadnavis, what did you say? You said that those going to protest should think twice, as they would have to spend three days in jail. Mr. Fadnavis, did you think we would come running to you in fear like your assembly members? Your chair is attached with sticky tape and Fevikwik. You may have forgotten that this is the land of Maharashtra, the land of Jijabai, Savitribai Phule, Shahu Maharaj, and Dr. Ambedkar. We have not forgotten. In Maharashtra, children are not threatened. Fadnavis, if you put us in jail for three months, we will come out and return here again and again.”

Mr. Dipake also leveled serious charges against Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma, stating, “Mr. Sharma, Mr. Shah’s favorite general director. Mumbai police told me this. Today, they detained our comrades protesting in Delhi, but I want to tell them that their barricading will prove futile, as so many people from across the country will come that Mr. Sharma himself will fall at Mr. Shah’s feet seeking a transfer.” Continuing his attack on the RSS, he said, “Mumbai police told me that Mr. Sharma is a member of the RSS. Mr. Sharma, if you are a Sangee, wear a khaki necktie and go to an RSS shakha; do not wear a police uniform. The Sangh thought they would kill Gandhi with a bullet, but Gandhi did not die. Today, everyone gathered here is Gandhi. As long as we are in this country, Gandhi will remain alive.”

God will come out as a coward and leave, but this country is built on Gandhi’s ideas.
While launching a severe attack on Prime Minister Modi, the founder of the CJP said, “They told us they are non‑biological. In fact, they didn’t need to say that, because it is already clear that you are not even human. Some people compare themselves to Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, while they have no right to do so. Gandhi is the soul of this country, Ambedkar is its backbone, and Nehru is its brain. These people, after winning a few elections, have begun to consider themselves great personalities, yet they have no idea about their struggle. When people did not know what the right to vote, voting, Lok Sabha and assembly were, Mr. Nehru and Mr. Ambedkar gave them that right.”
He mocked the Prime Minister’s statements, saying, “Mr. Modi said he has come so far by selling tea. Did we ask you to sell tea? You should have gone to school. He repeatedly says he is the son of a poor mother, but because of him all the children of this country have become poor. The country has no policy, it does not know how to develop, it only understands fashion and is taking overseas tours with our tax money.”
Warned the administration, CJP leaders clarified that the gathering in Mumbai was merely a “trailer.” They announced that if Mr. Kumar does not resign, the movement will pass through major cities of the country and reach New Delhi, turning into a prolonged protest on slogans for an indefinite period. Mr. Deepke said, “Mumbai protects the throne of Delhi. This movement will continue until Mr. Kumar resigns.”
During this time, local residents of Shivaji Park opposed the protest and, due to the administration’s refusal to grant formal permission, the area was under strict police surveillance. Additional security forces were deployed, barricades erected, and several workers were taken into custody as a precaution. The political response to this protest was divided. On one side, opposition parties under the “India” coalition supported the demonstration under the “Democracy Protection Week,” while the ruling NDA sharply criticized it. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan labeled Congress’s “Democracy Protection” campaign as a “Family Protection” and “Protect the Family” tour, accusing it of spreading chaos and lies. On the other side, another youth group named “Gen Next” accused the CJP of politicizing selected issues, staged a parallel protest against it, and labeled it the “Common Man Party (You)” and Arund Kejriwal’s “B Team,” chanting slogans against Mr. Deepke. Meanwhile, the Election Commission instructed these states and centrally administered areas to run a special nomination campaign where the SIRO work had been completed, to include voters left out of the list. The slogan “Go Gianno, Go” rang out in Shivaji Park, and Abhijit Deepke targeted the Prime Minister, RSS, Shah, and Fadnavis.