Political tensions in Maharashtra heightened on Sunday as Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that the Mumbai Police had officially denied permission for the party’s planned demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, slated for October 2 in Mumbai.
Reacting strongly to the administrative block, Dipke warned that the party would resort to a statewide ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ on Gandhi Jayanti if authorities continued to suppress what he termed citizens’ fundamental “right to protest.”
The controversy stems from earlier ultimatums issued by the CJP, demanding the resignation of the CEC by Sept 26 in the wake of reported internal disagreements within the Election Commission concerning voter list revisions.
When the deadline passed without action, the party announced plans to launch its nationwide agitation from Mumbai on Oct 2, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
Taking to social media, Dipke criticised the decision, writing: “Mumbai Police has also denied permission for our protest on Oct 2. Such tactics to suppress citizens’ voices are unacceptable.”
Mumbai Police has also denied permission for our protest on 2nd October.
Such tactics to suppress citizens’ voices are unacceptable. If we are denied the right to protest, CJP will launch a Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti.#SaveDemocracy
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) September 27, 2026
Dipke previously urged citizens to defend democratic principles, vowing the movement would press on despite hurdles, while police have increased vigilance ahead of the protest.