Kochi. Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) organized a protest march in Kochi, Kerala on Saturday against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The event titled 'Jantar Mantar at Kochi' was attended by many prominent faces including party founder Abhijit Deepke and actor Prakash Raj. The protesters raised the demand of withdrawal of the SIR process of the Election Commission.
March took place from Marine Drive to Rajendra Maidan
According to the organizers, the protest march started from Marine Drive in Kochi at 4 pm on Saturday and reached Rajendra Maidan, where a public meeting was held. Youth and people from civil organizations from different parts of Kerala were expected to attend the programme. CJP national leader Afrin Nawaz and South India in-charge Vijay Reddy Mallangi also attended.
Deepke gave message on social media
Before the protest, Abhijeet Deepke shared a message on social media and appealed to the people to reach Kochi. “It's not over until we say it's over,” he wrote. He also gave the slogan 'Gyanesh Kumar will have to go'. Actor Prakash Raj also appealed to people to participate in the protest through videos and posts.
CJP's big demonstration after action in Delhi
This program in Kochi is being considered as a big protest by CJP after the demonstrations and police action in Delhi. Last month, party co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were arrested during a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. According to the police, action was taken against him for protesting by reaching the banned protest site. Later both were released on bail. Abhijeet Deepke was also detained ahead of the proposed Tricolor march in Delhi.
Protestors are adamant on their demand to cancel SIR
CJP says that the process of special intensive revision of voter list is an issue related to democratic rights and voting rights. The party is demanding its withdrawal. At the same time, debate is going on between political parties and organizations in different parts of the country regarding SIR.