Cockroach Janta Party Demands Chief Election Commissioner's Resignation

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is organizing a series of protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the initiation of criminal proceedings against him. The movement follows reports that Election Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi repeatedly objected to decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, though the Election Commission of India has denied any internal breakdown and maintains all SIR decisions were unanimous.

Led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, the CJP is demanding the suspension of the SIR, the restoration of the January 2025 voter list, and the repeal of a 2023 law regarding the appointment and terms of Election Commissioners. Activist Sonam Wangchuk has extended moral support to the movement, linking the need for electoral integrity to broader government accountability and unfulfilled promises regarding the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh.

Greater Mumbai Police denied permission for a planned October 2 protest at Shivaji Park, citing traffic concerns and a 2013 Bombay High Court order. In response, Dipke has threatened a Jail Bharo Andolan on Gandhi Jayanti if the right to protest is suppressed. The CJP plans to expand demonstrations to Bengaluru, Goa, Kolkata, Patna, and Ranchi, with a potential national protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi by the end of October. Other political entities, including the INDIA bloc, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and Shiv Sena (UBT), are also planning separate demonstrations against the commission.