CJP chief briefly held as Mumbai police block protest permit

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was taken into custody for a short time at Marine Drive after police refused to allow a rally at Shivaji Park. Despite the denial, Dipke announced that the nationwide demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would start as planned on Friday from the park. He compared the situation to a recent political rally held by Devendra Fadnavis at the same venue and asked whether Mahatma Gandhi ever needed official permission to protest. Dipke said the protest is an act of dissent and does not require approval, taking full responsibility for any police response and noting that Mumbai’s force differs from Delhi’s. When asked about potential arrest, he joked that he would return repeatedly. Co‑convener Saurav Das warned that if participants are jailed, the group will launch a “jail theek karo” campaign to demand prison reforms. Dipke outlined three core demands: halt the SIR exercise, file criminal charges against Kumar, and guarantee civil‑society representation in future CEC appointments. He ruled out contesting the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, claiming registration would be blocked. The CJP reminded listeners that it began as a satirical movement and, citing a popular film line, said seeking a court order could take too long. He urged protesters to use memes, recalling how Delhi demonstrators responded to alleged police excesses during the NEET leak protests. Railway officials stepped up security, deploying extra commercial staff at Dadar station before the gathering. After Mumbai, the protest will travel to Goa, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi and Uttar Pradesh, aiming to converge at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar later this month. At Marine Drive, a woman inspector led Dipke and his supporters to the police station’s waiting area; they were released after a few minutes. The CJP stresses its independence from the opposition’s October 6 rally and says it will expand the campaign if Kumar does not step down.

Context

The chief election commissioner heads the body that runs India’s elections, and the SIR (Supplementary Electoral Roll) process updates voter lists. Protests against election officials are uncommon, so demands to halt SIR and involve civil society in appointments reflect broader concerns about transparency in the electoral system.