Cockroach Janta Party Plans ‘Jail Bharo’ Movement in Mumbai Following Protest Ban

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is gearing up to launch a ‘jail bharo andolan’ or mass voluntary arrest movement in Mumbai on October 2, following a refusal from local authorities to permit a protest at Shivaji Park. This protest was intended to call for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

On Sunday, the Mumbai Police denied the party’s request, citing a 2013 Bombay High Court ruling that restricts the use of Shivaji Park to sports events only. The police further expressed concerns about potential noise pollution that could disrupt the residential area surrounding the park, as well as the possibility of traffic congestion impacting nearby hospitals.

In response to the denial, Abhijeet Dipke, the CJP’s founder, pointed out a perceived inconsistency in the enforcement of these regulations. He shared a video highlighting a past event where Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had been granted permission to hold a gathering at the same location, questioning why the same leniency was not extended to his party.

The CJP’s demand for Kumar’s resignation stems from a recent investigation by The Indian Express, which revealed that two election commissioners had raised objections 14 times over a span of 10 months regarding decisions related to the Election Commission’s intensive revision of electoral rolls. This revelation has intensified scrutiny on Kumar’s leadership and the electoral process in the country.

The planned ‘jail bharo andolan’ comes against a backdrop of increasing political activism and a push for accountability within India’s electoral framework. As the CJP prepares to move forward with its campaign, it remains to be seen how authorities will respond and whether the movement will resonate with the public amid concerns surrounding electoral integrity.

Source: scroll.in