'Gyanu Must Go!': Abhijeet Dipke Announces Jail Bharo Andolan at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on October 2
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke posted 'Gyanu Must Go!' on X, referring to CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Hours earlier, he confirmed a Jail Bharo Andolan at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2 after police denied protest permission, citing a 2013 High Court order and 2016 state guidelines. CJP seeks Kumar’s resignation over electoral roll issues.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke today, September 28, posted “Gyanu Must Go!” on X (formerly Twitter), referring to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The message comes hours after he confirmed that the group will hold a Jail Bharo Andolan at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2, following the denial of permission for a conventional protest at the same venue.
The post, which included an image, forms part of CJP’s ongoing campaign seeking Kumar’s resignation. Engagement on the message was rising through the morning, with thousands of views recorded shortly after it appeared. Did Mumbai Police Deny Permission for CJP Protest at Shivaji Park?
Gyanu Must Go, Says CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke
Police Denial and Official Response
Mumbai Police earlier stated that they are not empowered to grant permission for any gathering at Shivaji Park. The department cited a Bombay High Court judgment in PIL 116/2009 dated January 4, 2013, and a subsequent Maharashtra government order dated January 20, 2016. Police said the position was explained to applicant Ajinkya Shinde. Organisers were advised to identify an alternative venue in the city and apply for permission there. Additional reasons listed in formal communication included the lack of required Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) clearance, the ground’s status as a silence zone in a residential area, and concerns about noise and traffic disruption, including access for emergency vehicles to nearby hospitals.
Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai on October 2
What CJP Has Announced
On Sunday, Septeber 27, Dipke said Mumbai Police had denied permission for the October 2 protest and warned that CJP would launch a Jail Bharo Andolan on Gandhi Jayanti if the right to protest was blocked. On Monday morning, September 28, he confirmed the plan in a short post: “Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai. October 2, Shivaji Park. #SaveDemocracy". Jail Bharo Andolan involves participants voluntarily courting arrest in large numbers. CJP has indicated it intends to proceed at Shivaji Park despite the formal denial of permission for a standard demonstration.
Context of the Campaign
CJP had earlier announced it would begin a nationwide agitation from Mumbai on October 2 if Gyanesh Kumar did not step down. The group’s main demands include Kumar’s resignation and initiation of criminal proceedings against him, a freeze on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls with restoration of the January 2025 voter list, and repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners, along with broader reforms to the poll body. Abhijeet Dipke Accuses Meta of Taking Down Reels Demanding Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation.
The proposed action also follows CJP’s allegations that co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and a group of volunteers were detained in Guwahati, Assam. Those claims remain assertions made by the organisation and its supporters.
As of Monday afternoon, CJP has not announced a change of venue. Mumbai Police have left open the possibility of considering an application for a different location in the city.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2026 01:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).