Shabana Azmi, Vishal Dadlani Join CJP Protest in Mumbai Over Electoral Roll Row
Actor-activist Shabana Azmi and musician Vishal Dadlani have backed the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Mumbai amid an ongoing dispute over electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission.
The October 2 demonstration was organised at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, where CJP activists and other civil society groups gathered amid a heavy police presence. Protest organisers are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and have alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Azmi had urged citizens to gather at Shivaji Park, while Dadlani publicly announced his participation and supported the campaign calling for Gyanesh Kumar to step down.
Dadlani also appeared in a video circulated by CJP ahead of the demonstration, using the “Go Gyan Go” slogan and making allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner and the electoral system. Those allegations are claims made by Dadlani and protest organisers, not established findings.
The Election Commission has disputed criticism surrounding the SIR process, saying decisions concerning the exercise were taken unanimously by the three-member Commission. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also rejected the protesters’ allegations and defended the Election Commission.
The protest has drawn opposing reactions as well. A group calling itself “Gen Next Mumbai” held a counter-demonstration near Shivaji Park, illustrating the sharply differing views surrounding the CJP campaign.
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