Protests24 September, 20262 min read
Abhijeet Dipke’s Cockroach Janta Party Demands Gyanesh Kumar Resign, Threatens Nationwide Protests
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Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke demands Chief Election Officer Gyanesh Kumar resign. Protests will begin nationwide on October 2 if he does not resign.
Deadline for Gyanesh Kumar
The Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign by Saturday or the party would begin nationwide protests from Mumbai on October 2. Dipke said, "If Gyanesh Kumar does not resign by tomorrow, CJP will begin its nationwide protest from Mumbai on 2 October, and take it to cities across India," and he added, "This Gandhi Jayanti let’s pledge to save democracy," referring to October 2.
The Election Commission of India rejected the protest framing, saying that "differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberation in any institution" and that all its actions were lawful. Rahul Gandhi joined the demand for Kumar’s resignation after the Indian Express investigation reported that two election commissioners raised questions or voiced concern with Kumar at least 14 times in 10 months, mostly over updating voter lists.
Jantar Mantar clashes
Protesters gathered in Delhi on Friday demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, and the Delhi Police heavily barricaded the area around Jantar Mantar and did not allow protesters to enter the designated protest site.
DW reported that several activists were detained within minutes of arriving at the spot, and Neha Bora accused the Election Commission of “stealing votes” and acting against democracy.
Reuters said Indian police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse opposition Congress party members during nationwide protests demanding Kumar’s resignation.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi told protesters, "Gyanesh Kumar has committed treason. He should resign immediately," while the Election Commission said differences among officers were normal and that all its actions were lawful.
What the protests target
The protests centered on allegations that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for updating voter lists undermined democracy, with the Cockroach Janta Party claiming the exercise gave the government the power to select who can vote. Dipke said the SIR exercise had led to the deletion of millions of voters from draft electoral rolls, and he argued that the process empowered the government rather than empowering voters to choose the government.
Reuters said state elections next year, including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, were key tests of support ahead of parliamentary elections due in 2029, as Kumar faced criticism over the SIR of voter lists. The Election Commission said the exercise aims to remove deceased, relocated and duplicate voters and prevent the inclusion of "foreign illegal immigrants," while critics alleged it removed eligible voters and benefited the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).