Stars join Mumbai protest for election panel chief's exit

Protests In Mumbai

Veteran actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, along with music composer Vishal Dadlani, joined a public demonstration at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Friday. Thousands of citizens turned up for the gathering organised by the Cockroach Janta Party despite local police denying formal permission for the event. Student bodies including the Students' Federation of India and the All India Students' Federation also participated in the agitation.

Demands And Backstory

The crowds demanded the exit of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following recent media reports about internal disagreements within the poll panel. Investigations revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded formal objections on at least 14 occasions over a ten-month period regarding decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke addressed the gathering, criticised the central government, and challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to jail the demonstrators.

Celebrity Appearances

During the event, Naseeruddin Shah met Abhijeet Dipke and embraced him, telling the leader that he wanted to thank him for his efforts. Vishal Dadlani also arrived later and hugged the organiser while the crowd cheered. Actor Prakash Raj released a video message supporting the action on Gandhi Jayanti, while Shabana Azmi spoke out about citizens facing sudden removal from voter rolls.

Context

Public demonstrations and street agitation have a long history in Indian public life as a method for civil society groups to press authorities on governance issues. Police forces frequently regulate such gatherings with permission requirements to manage public order and city traffic. Electoral roll revisions are administrative processes meant to keep voter registries updated ahead of democratic polls.