India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke announced he was prepared to go to jail as he made his way to Delhi for the party’s proposed October 10 protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Dipke accused the Centre of trying to intimidate people into staying away from a protest over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced a planned October 10 protest in Delhi for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and scrapping the SIR exercise, accusing the Centre of suppressing dissent. Delhi Police denied permission, citing security and permit issues, resulting in heightened security with over 35,000 personnel deployed and internet suspensions.
The protest, called ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0,’ is asking for Kumar’s resignation as he is allegedly involved in the SIR exercise.
CJP is also demanding that the SIR exercise be scrapped and Electoral Commissioners be appointed in an independent manner.
Questioning the extensive security arrangements in the national capital, Dipke alleged that the restrictions showed the government’s discomfort with dissent.
He questioned the Centre on the restrictions on transport, road movement and internet services and took a dig at the deployment of police and paramilitary personnel.
Dipke also alleged that people were being picked up while they were on their way to Delhi and that Delhi residents were being discouraged from attending the protest.
He said peaceful protests were a democratic right and that the party would continue with its campaign for free and fair elections.
‘Let them arrest me,’ says CJP founder
While responding to queries regarding the possibility of Dipke being arrested in Delhi, he said he was prepared to face arrest and not quit his movements.
Dipke said authorities could take stringent action if they wished, but the party would continue with its campaign for electoral system reforms.
He reaffirmed that the campaign was aimed at protecting democratic institutions and ensuring transparency in elections.
In a post on X ahead of the planned demonstration, the CJP founder alleged that the government’s response showed fear of public mobilisation.
One man, and the entire system is on edge. 🔥Abhijeet says it straight. “Arrest me. Use UAPA, NSA, whatever you want. I’ll keep fighting for free and fair elections.”No fear, no violence, no retreat.That’s conviction power struggles to contain. https://t.co/s77uGWZkrQ
— Mr Sharma (@sharma_views) October 10, 2026
He said the security measures were designed to stop protesters from assembling.
Delhi Police denies permission
Delhi Police denied permission for the planned October 10 demonstration, citing law-and-order reasons as well as the inconvenience to residents.
Police also said the communication sent by CJP did not qualify for a properly filed permission application.
According to police, applications for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar must be submitted at least 10 days in advance.
Authorities also referred to alleged violations of protest conditions during previous demonstrations, including events continuing beyond the permitted time.
Security tightened across the capital
Security arrangements were significantly tightened ahead of the proposed protest.
According to the figures mentioned in reports, more than 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed, while authorities estimated that around 20,000 people could attempt to reach the protest site.
Authorities have heightened checks at Delhi’s borders, erected barricades and blocked access at several Metro stations. Mobile internet services have also been suspended in parts of central Delhi.
The Centre has sought coordination with Delhi Police and taken preventive measures with states and Union Territories ahead of the proposed mobilisation.
