Naseeruddin Shah Joins CJP Protest In Mumbai Over SIR, Meets Founder Abhijeet Dipke

India

oi-Prakash KL

Published: Friday, October 2, 2026, 17:48 [IST]

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah joined the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday, as the group stepped up its opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

A video shared by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shows Shah meeting him at the protest venue. The two are seen speaking to each other before Shah hugs Dipke.

The CJP has been demanding a halt to the SIR exercise, alleging that the revision process could undermine voting rights. The group has also called for the restoration of the voter list and repeal of the law governing the Election Commission.

Dipke has separately called for criminal proceedings against the Chief Election Commissioner over the issue.

The protest comes despite Mumbai Police refusing permission for the gathering at Shivaji Park. Police cited a 2013 Bombay High Court order, saying they do not have the authority to grant permission for such an event at the venue.

Dipke has challenged the police position, pointing to political rallies being held at the same ground. He has argued that if political leaders can hold public events there, the CJP should also be allowed to stage a peaceful demonstration.

The group has described Friday’s protest as a “Jail Bharo Andolan”.

The demonstration was scheduled to begin at 4 pm near Gate Number 6 of Shivaji Park. Security arrangements were stepped up around Dadar railway station, the closest major rail hub to the protest site, with police personnel deployed near entry points.

Dipke has maintained that the protest will remain peaceful and said he expected the police to cooperate with the demonstrators. He also pointed to previous CJP-backed gatherings in Mumbai, claiming they had taken place without any major incidents.