Film Stars and Musicians Join Mumbai Protest Calling for Election Chief to Quit

Veteran actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi alongside composer Vishal Dadlani joined a large public demonstration at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Friday. Organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, the gathering drew thousands of attendees including members of student groups like the Students' Federation of India and the All India Students' Federation. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following investigative reports that fellow commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded objections on 14 occasions over a ten-month period regarding decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. Before the event, Mumbai Police had denied permission for the October 2 demonstration, but crowds still turned out on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke stated that the group plans to launch a Jail Bharo Andolan and take the agitation to Goa, Bengaluru, and Kolkata before ending with a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Actor Prakash Raj also expressed support from afar, pointing to concurrent peaceful demonstrations led by Neha Vora in Delhi. During the gathering, Naseeruddin Shah met Abhijeet Dipke and told him to continue his work, while Vishal Dadlani also hugged the organiser. Shabana Azmi previously urged citizens to question authorities when votes disappear or lists change.

Context

Public demonstrations involving prominent artists and student groups have become a common way for civil society to challenge government policies in India. Electoral roll revisions and institutional transparency are frequent subjects of public debate regarding democratic rights.