MUMBAI: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday, questioning his repeated references to his past as a tea seller.In a video posted by news agency IANS, Dipke said, “This person is just travelling around the world with our money. One thing is that he keeps saying, ‘I have sold tea, I have sold tea, I have sold tea.’ Why did you sell tea? Did we ask you to sell tea? We said you could have gone to school, studied, and got a job.”Dipke also quipped, “PM Modi’s fashion sense and skin care is on point. Even the big actors, models cannot match his style.”The CJP founder was addressing thousands of people who gathered at Shivaji Park despite Mumbai Police denying permission for the protest.The demonstration was held to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
‘Don’t wear police uniform’: Dipke to Delhi DCP
Dipke also accused Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma of being close to Union home minister Amit Shah while referring to the police action during the separate Delhi protest.“Some police officers were telling me that this Sachin Sharma is a Sanghi. He is Amit Shah’s favourite. So I want to tell Sachin Sharma: if you are a Sanghi, wear khaki shorts (RSS uniform), don’t wear the police uniform!” he said.Dipke also said the turnout at Shivaji Park would overwhelm the barricades put up by the authorities.“So many people will arrive that your barricades won’t be enough!” Dipke said.The CJP has demanded Kumar’s resignation, criminal proceedings against him, a freeze on the SIR exercise and restoration of the January 2025 voter list.
Election Commission rejects rift claims
The protests followed a report in The Indian Express that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period on matters involving electoral rolls, voter registration and the Commission’s technology systems.The Election Commission has rejected suggestions of an internal rift and maintained that decisions taken by the poll panel, including those relating to SIR, were unanimous and had the approval of all three commissioners.CJP spokesperson Saurav Das had earlier urged Mumbaikars to join the protest and accused Kumar of being a “traitor” and the “real anti-national”.“The youth of the whole country, the young generation, everyone came out last time for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. And this time too, it is going to be the same with Gyanesh Kumar, who is a traitor to the country. The youth of Mumbai are hitting the streets again. Today, a massive protest is going to happen at Shivaji Park. And I want, I appeal to all the Mumbaikars and our friends. Everyone come,” Das said.
Shabana Azmi, Vishal Dadlani join protest
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi and singer Vishal Dadlani were among those who addressed the gathering, while actor Naseeruddin Shah and other public figures also joined the protest.Azmi said the demonstration was about democracy, people’s rights and the right to vote.“This is a question of our democracy. It is a question of our rights. It is a question of our voice. We have been told since childhood to cast our votes, claim our rights, and raise our voices. But when our fundamental right is snatched away or manipulated, what is a person supposed to do?”“Naturally, they will protest, and this “people’s power” is unstoppable now. Once the spark is lit, you can see how it spreads; it is happening all across India…The names of thousands upon thousands of people have been removed from the lists…After today’s protest, we will see if action is taken or if we have to keep fighting this battle. We have to fight the battle for as long as it takes,” Azmi said.Dadlani said the issue should concern supporters of all political parties if the election system was compromised.“I would say this is extremely important. You may support any political party, but if the country’s election system itself is compromised, then the country and democracy will no longer survive.”“So, I would tell everyone, even those who support the BJP, that they too are with us and are part of this country. So I would tell them as well: wake up. Remove Gyanesh Kumar, reverse this entire process, eliminate the SIR, and protect every citizen’s right to vote,” Dadlani said.
Counter-protest at Shivaji Park
The CJP demonstration was also met by a counter-protest by a group identifying itself as “Gen Next Mumbai”.One counter-protester accused Dipke and others of speaking about dismantling the Constitution and said the group had gathered to defend it.“People like Abhijeet Dipke speak of dismantling the Constitution. Today, however, we stand beneath the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar because we know how to protect and respect the Constitution. That is why we have gathered here for a peaceful demonstration; the conduct of the Cockroach Janata Party will not be tolerated,” the protester said.Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also hit back at the protesters, saying allegations against the Election Commission had already been countered.“The entire matter has been exposed. Following the press conference held by the three Election Commissioners, their fake narrative has been busted. Yet, attempts are still being made to push this fake narrative. They will not succeed in this,” Fadnavis said.
Protests in Delhi
In Delhi, opposition leaders and youth organisations staged a demonstration near Jantar Mantar against the Election Commission and demanded Kumar’s removal. Police had denied permission for the protest and imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.Congress general secretary KC Venugopal accused the government and the Election Commission of undermining people’s voting rights and said opposition leaders were prepared to face arrest.“This is for saving the democracy of the country, saving the vote for a common man. Common men’s votes are snatched by Modi and Shah through the Election Commission of India. So, this is a do-or-die fight for the Congress party and the INDIA alliance and all other opposition parties. We are not going to allow this thing,” Venugopal said.Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also backed the protests, saying thousands of young people were exercising their constitutional rights and demanding Kumar’s resignation.“Today is Gandhi Jayanti. And today, thousands of young people are on the streets against vote theft – peacefully, without violence, exercising their constitutional rights. Their demand is clear: Gyanesh Kumar must resign. Save democracy,” Gandhi said in a post on X.BJP spokesperson Ajay Alok said protests were legitimate but protesters had to follow prescribed rules and obtain permission.“In any democratic system, holding protests is absolutely legitimate, but there are certain rules and procedures to follow. Permission must be obtained, and people can protest wherever they want within the prescribed rules. Our country is democratic, so anyone can protest. However, if the rules are not followed, people may be detained. Detention during protests is, in any case, a common occurrence,” Alok said.The protests come amid an ongoing political dispute over the Election Commission’s handling of SIR and allegations concerning electoral rolls. The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions on SIR were taken unanimously.
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