CJP holds jail bharo protest at Shivaji Park, demands Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation

A jail bharo agitation was held on behalf of the CJP at Shivaji Park ground in Mumbai on October 2, demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign. Protesters shouted slogans against the government and the Election Commission, including "Gyanesh Kumar, resign". The Mumbai protest has ended, and a warning has been issued that the next agitation will be held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Abhijit Dipke of the Cockroach Janta Party addressed the gathering. He sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Addressing Fadnavis, he said: you spoke of putting us in jail for three days, but had you said three months, Mumbai would have shut down. Telling Fadnavis that his chair is already in danger, he said one leg of the chair is stuck with Fevicol and the other with Fevistick.

CJP president Abhijit Dipke said that fighting for one's rights is the true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He also made a serious allegation that the Sanghis troubled the countrymen more than the British did. He said that when Prime Minister Modi goes to the United States, it is often said that he has come from Gandhi's country. Dipke said Mahatma Gandhi is the soul of this country, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar its backbone and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru its brain. Criticising the BJP, he alleged that "one nation, one election" is merely a slogan and that the BJP actually wants "one nation, one party".

Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, also spoke at the protest and said Mumbai never lags behind. He said this agitation is no less than Jantar Mantar. He recalled that the slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" was given by Lal Bahadur Shastri. Tushar Gandhi said the youth of the country have now awakened and that the campaign to save democracy will continue.

Actor Shabana Azmi warmly welcomed those present. She said that, being from Mumbai, she was very happy to see such a large turnout. Saying that one's vote is one's right and one's voice, she asked what people would do if their names were removed from the electoral rolls.

Dipke said Mumbai Police had permitted the agitation to be held peacefully, and that Mumbai is only a trailer. He also said: do what you want, we will play the final match at Jantar Mantar.

Actors Naseeruddin Shah and Sherlyn Chopra also joined the protest in support. Shah praised Dipke, while Abhijit Dipke said on the occasion that he is a big fan of Shah. A large crowd of young people had gathered in the Shivaji Park area.

Music composer Vishal Dadlani also took part. He said the Election Commission had rejected his application too. He had returned to Shivaji Park after the agitation at Jantar Mantar. He sang a song demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, including "Mera Rang De Basanti Chola".