Thousands of people gathered at Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai, on Friday, October 2, as the Cockroach Janta Party began a new phase of protests over India's electoral-roll revision process.

The demonstration was led by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, with protesters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The group has raised concerns about alleged irregularities and possible voter deletions linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Reuters reported that the CJP and its supporters argue that the changes could affect voters' ability to participate in elections.

The Election Commission and government have denied allegations of wrongdoing.

The Mumbai demonstration went ahead despite police denying permission for the gathering at Shivaji Park.

According to Times of India, Mumbai Police had raised concerns including traffic congestion, emergency-vehicle movement, noise restrictions and the requirement for permissions relating to the use of the venue. Police had suggested that organisers consider another location.

Despite the restrictions, a large crowd assembled at the park.

Times of India reported that police estimates put the number of protesters at approximately 9,000 to 10,000 around 4 p.m., with the gathering remaining largely peaceful.

The Guardian also reported a significant turnout in Mumbai amid a heavy police presence, describing the demonstration as part of growing concern among protesters over the electoral-roll changes.

At the centre of the protest was the demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar to step down.

CJP leaders have accused the Election Commission of failing to adequately address concerns surrounding the voter-list revision process. The organisation has called for greater transparency in the electoral system and has questioned the procedures used to revise voter rolls.

Dipke told supporters that the movement would continue if the CEC did not resign. Times of India reported that he warned of a larger mobilisation in Delhi under a proposed "Jantar Mantar 2.0" campaign.

The CJP subsequently announced that if Kumar did not resign, supporters from across India would march to Delhi for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10.

The controversy centres on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a process intended to verify and update voter lists.

The process has generated political and public debate, particularly over documentation requirements and the possibility that eligible voters could be excluded from electoral rolls.

Opposition parties, student groups and civil-society organisations have raised concerns about the scale and implementation of the exercise.

However, allegations that the revisions are designed to favour a particular political party remain contested. The Election Commission and government have rejected claims of deliberate voter suppression or electoral wrongdoing.

The October 2 demonstrations were not limited to Mumbai.

In New Delhi, opposition parties, student organisations and civil-society groups also sought to protest against the Election Commission and the SIR process.

Times of India reported that around 700 people were detained in Delhi as authorities restricted demonstrations around Jantar Mantar. Several opposition leaders and activists were among those detained.

The Delhi demonstrations were separate from the CJP's Mumbai gathering but shared concerns over electoral-roll revisions and demands for greater accountability from the Election Commission.

The Mumbai protest also attracted support from several prominent figures from the arts and public sphere.

According to Times of India, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, filmmaker Hansal Mehta, musician Vishal Dadlani and Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, were present at the gathering.

The protest also received support from Shiv Sena (UBT), while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena backed the CJP's agitation, according to the report.

Their participation added visibility to a campaign that began as a youth-led movement and has increasingly moved into broader debates over electoral administration.

The Cockroach Janta Party emerged from youth protests earlier in 2026 over issues including examination irregularities and unemployment.

The movement previously organised demonstrations that contributed to the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following protests over examination-related issues.

The group has now shifted its focus toward electoral issues, particularly voter-list revisions and the functioning of the Election Commission.

The latest campaign represents a significant expansion of the movement's agenda from education-related concerns to questions about India's electoral system.

The CJP has indicated that the October 2 Mumbai demonstration is only the beginning of a wider campaign.

Dipke has called for further mobilisation in Delhi if the CEC does not resign, with October 10 identified as a possible date for another protest at Jantar Mantar.

Meanwhile, the debate over the electoral-roll revision process is likely to continue through political, legal and institutional channels.

The central issue remains whether the revision process can be carried out while ensuring that eligible voters are not inadvertently excluded. The Election Commission's procedures, explanations and subsequent verification of electoral rolls will therefore remain closely watched.