CJP Calls October 10 Protest a Youth Movement, Welcomes INDIA Bloc Stir
Co Convener Saurav Das says political parties, students, activists and citizens should peacefully assert their rights
New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday welcomed the INDIA bloc’s planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and described its October 10 mobilisation as a broader movement led by young people and Gen Z.
CJP Co Convener Saurav Das said political parties, student organisations, activists and ordinary citizens should come together peacefully to raise their concerns and assert their rights.
Speaking at a press conference, Das said the October 10 protest should not be viewed as belonging only to CJP. He described it as a wider call from young people and said the party was only one part of the proposed mobilisation.
He also welcomed the INDIA bloc’s planned demonstration, saying that CJP supported peaceful protests by political parties, student groups, activists and members of the public.
Das said the repeated protests taking place across the country indicated that people had concerns that needed to be addressed. He described protests as a last resort for people who felt that their grievances were not being heard.
The comments come days after CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced plans for a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 10 if CEC Gyanesh Kumar does not resign. Dipke had said the proposed demonstration would be peaceful and urged people concerned about the electoral process to participate.
Das also claimed that CJP had received information from people within the establishment that its leaders could be arrested or detained ahead of the October 10 protest. He said the mobilisation would continue even if CJP leaders were detained.
Regarding the proposed demonstration, Das said protesters would remain peaceful and would continue their protest even if they were stopped from reaching Jantar Mantar.
He also referred to Monday’s Supreme Court hearing concerning the Election Commission and the modified Form 6. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant clarified during the hearing that the Supreme Court had not approved the modification made to Form 6.
The CJP’s October 10 announcement comes amid growing political and public debate over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission. Protests have recently been held in Delhi and Mumbai over demands concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR exercise.
The INDIA bloc has also announced plans for a protest in Delhi, while CJP has said it welcomes all peaceful demonstrations concerning electoral and constitutional issues.