‘Do darpok’: Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Dadlani lead celeb backlash amid CJP protest
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, singer-composer Vishal Dadlani and actor Kishore Kumar have criticised the government's handling of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest in Delhi, with their social media posts drawing attention to the political controversy surrounding the demonstration.
On Saturday, October 10, CJP supporters planned to gather at Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The proposed protest was met with extensive security arrangements, police detentions and restrictions on movement in parts of the national capital.
Amid the developments, Kashyap shared a cryptic message on Instagram, while Dadlani questioned the scale of the security deployment. Kishore Kumar, meanwhile, accused the government of undermining democratic freedoms and called on citizens to stand up for their right to peaceful protest.
Anurag Kashyap's 'Do darpok, 40 hazaar gulaam' post
Known for his outspoken views, Kashyap shared a pointed message on Instagram amid the CJP protest.
“Do darpok, 40 hazaar gulaam, laakhon bahadur,” the filmmaker wrote, which translates to “Two cowards, 40,000 slaves, millions of brave people”.
The post quickly attracted attention on social media amid the political tensions surrounding the demonstration. Kashyap did not explicitly identify the individuals referred to in the message.
His post came as the authorities faced criticism over the security measures imposed ahead of the planned gathering and the detention of protesters.
Vishal Dadlani questions security deployment
Singer-composer Vishal Dadlani also criticised the government's handling of the protest, questioning the scale of the security arrangements in Delhi.
In his statement, Dadlani alleged that 23 battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had been deployed against citizens seeking to exercise their right to protest. He further claimed that personnel had been brought from sensitive regions, including Jammu and Kashmir and Naxal-affected areas, to be stationed at Jantar Mantar.
Dadlani also referred to barricades, road restrictions and disruptions to metro and train services, arguing that the arrangements raised questions about the government's priorities.
“At this moment, the entire world is watching how far a country's government is willing to go to protect one person,” he said.
The singer went on to allege that the system had been manipulated to protect that individual.
His remarks added to the criticism of the authorities' response to the proposed demonstration. However, his claims about the deployment of 23 CRPF battalions and the government's alleged motives require independent verification.
Actor Kishore Kumar accuses government of vote theft
Actor Kishore Kumar also weighed in on the controversy, addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the BJP and the RSS in a lengthy social media post.
The actor argued that the situation could have been handled by allowing a peaceful protest instead of resorting to detentions, house arrests, threats and security restrictions.
He also referred to allegations of electoral malpractice, including claims about fake voter additions in Uttar Pradesh, and accused the government of remaining in power through what he described as “vote chori”, or vote theft.
“Every day will become October tenth,” he wrote, warning that preventing a peaceful gathering at Jantar Mantar could lead to demonstrations outside Election Commission offices across the country.
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Kishore Kumar also appealed to the police, armed forces and citizens who remain silent amid the controversy, framing the issue as a fight to protect democracy and the freedom to dissent.
“This is a fight for freedom against desh drohis. A fight to save democracy,” he wrote.
He ended his post with the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad”, meaning “Long live the revolution”.
The allegations made in the actor's post have not been independently established and should be distinguished from verified findings concerning electoral rolls.
Why is CJP protesting in Delhi?
The Cockroach Janta Party planned its October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls.
The revision exercise has become a subject of political debate, with concerns raised by critics about voter deletions, additions and the accuracy of electoral lists. CJP's protest was aimed at demanding accountability from the Election Commission.
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Authorities denied permission for the planned gathering and tightened security in parts of Delhi ahead of the demonstration. Reports also described police detentions and restrictions affecting movement in the capital.
The authorities' position has centred on maintaining public order and managing security in a densely populated city. Critics, however, have questioned whether the measures were proportionate and whether they restricted citizens' ability to exercise their right to peaceful protest.
The controversy has consequently extended beyond the party's demands, drawing attention to broader questions about electoral transparency, institutional accountability and democratic freedoms.
The reactions from Kashyap, Dadlani and Kishore Kumar have brought prominent voices from the entertainment industry into the debate, as the political row over the CJP protest continues.