‘Gyanesh BRO, just resign’: Memes, slogans colour Mumbai protest against CEC

Mumbai: Memes, satirical posters, film-dialogue references and slogans targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar coloured the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Friday, as thousands of people gathered despite police denying permission for the demonstration.
The protest was organised by the CJP, led by its founder Abhijeet Dipke. The outfit had announced Mumbai as the starting point of a nationwide agitation seeking Kumar's resignation, with Dipke calling on supporters to gather at Shivaji Park on October 2.

Young protesters carrying the tricolour began arriving at the venue from early afternoon, ahead of the protest scheduled for 4 pm. Police erected barricades at major entry points to the ground and restricted vehicular movement around Sena Bhavan. Security was also strengthened around Dadar railway station, with the Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force deploying additional personnel.

Among the most prominent posters at the protest were “Gyanesh BRO, JUST RESIGN”, “Gyanu, Tujha Democracy Var Bharosa Nay Kay?” and “Gaddaar Gyaanu Must Go”.

The protesters used humour and popular references to underline their demand for Kumar's resignation. Some carried satirical memes and film dialogues, while others used unconventional props.

Manish Mandal, a student from Sion, arrived wearing jewellery fashioned from “Melody” chocolate wrappers and held a banner carrying the words “Fraud detergent powder” written in Devanagari.

Groups affiliated with the All India Students' Federation (AISF) from Pune added a musical element to the demonstration, playing instruments and leading chants such as “Chale Jao”, “Vapas Do” and “Band Karo” near the perimeter of the park.

The protest also coincided with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. Quotations on non-violence and simplicity were displayed at the protest stage, alongside tributes invoking Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah was among those present at the protest venue. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have extended support to the CJP's agitation.
Also read | AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj detained at Jantar Mantar; alleges male cops manhandled women protesters

CJP's demands

The CJP has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, greater transparency in the appointment of the CEC and a freeze on the 2025 voter list, arguing that it should not be “tampered with further”.

The party announced the Mumbai protest following media reports concerning objections allegedly recorded by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

According to the reports cited by the protesters, the two Election Commissioners recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months regarding decisions and orders related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Some of the objections reportedly concerned decisions or orders that they said had been issued without their knowledge.

The Election Commission subsequently clarified that its three-member commission took all decisions, including those concerning the SIR, unanimously.

Police deployment and residents' concerns

The Mumbai Police denied permission for the protest but made extensive security arrangements around Shivaji Park as protesters gathered in large numbers.

Major entry points to the ground were barricaded, while police restricted vehicular access in the vicinity. Additional personnel were deployed around Dadar station to prevent any disruption to railway commuters.

Some residents of Shivaji Park had objected to the protest being held in the neighbourhood, citing concerns over inconvenience to residents, traffic and the area's proximity to schools and a hospital.

Police officials said they were monitoring the situation to maintain law and order and ensure that traffic remained unaffected.

Protests also held in Delhi

The Mumbai demonstration coincided with protests in Delhi against the Election Commission and the SIR exercise.

Members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), along with opposition leaders, staged a demonstration near Jantar Mantar despite Delhi Police denying permission for the proposed protest.

Police imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, prohibiting assemblies, demonstrations, processions and similar activities without prior written permission.

CPM General Secretary MA Baby joined the Delhi protest and demanded Kumar's removal, while CPM leader Brinda Karat called for his removal and an immediate halt to the SIR exercise.

AAP leaders also joined the demonstration. Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained after reaching Jantar Mantar, while AAP leaders Atishi, Sanjeev Jha and Kuldeep Kumar were also among those detained during the protests.

Bharadwaj alleged that police personnel had mishandled women protesters and said he had been scratched during his detention. He called for the protests to continue peacefully and through constitutional means.

Delhi Police deployed personnel from the force and the Rapid Action Force around Jantar Mantar, with barricades and a riot-control vehicle also positioned in the area. DCP New Delhi Sachin Sharma said preventive arrangements had been made and appealed to people to cooperate with police.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation also closed entry and exit at 11 stations as part of the security arrangements, while interchange facilities remained available at select stations.

The protests are part of continuing opposition concerning the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR exercise. The INDIA bloc has planned further programmes, including a protest on October 6 and a rally in Delhi on November 1.

(With agency inputs)