‘Will not return until CEC resigns’: CJP calls for fresh protest at Jantar Mantar on October 11

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday (10 October 2026) vowed to continue protests against alleged electoral roll irregularities until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns and announced another demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Sunday (11 October 2026) at 10:00 AM, even as Delhi warned of possible traffic restrictions in Delhi and central Delhi.

At a press conference after police detained protesters, activists and political leaders during Saturday’s (October 10) demonstrations, Ajinkya Shinde, the CJP national in-charge, said the party would not back down despite the detentions.

Follow | Anti-CEC protest LIVE updates: CJP calls for another protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday; members say they have no information about the whereabouts of the detained CJP leaders

“The government must have thought that we will go home today after the arrests. This fear of Modi, Shah shows that we have won half the battle,” said Mr Shinde, who is leading the protest as key members of the CJP remain in custody.

“As many people as you detain, we will not return until Gyanesh Kumar resigns. We will again head to Jantar Mantar at 10 am tomorrow,” Mr Shinde said.

October 11 | Sunday | 10:00 AM Hello Jantar Mantar! @Cockroachisback https://t.co/U7Gk8i6fYV

— Ajinkya Shinde (@AjinkyaCJP) October 10, 2026

He urged people to join the demonstration in large numbers and to continue protesting even if stopped by the police.

“Come to Jantar Mantar in large numbers and protest wherever Delhi Police stops you,” he said.

The organization said civil disobedience and street protests would continue across the country until responsibility for the alleged erasure and manipulation of 13 million votes was determined.

CJP representatives condemned the detention of party leaders and other protesters during Saturday’s (October 10) demonstrations, saying the authorities had imposed an “undeclared state of emergency” in the state capital to prevent people from assembling peacefully.

Criticizing the heavy security deployment and restrictions, Mr Shinde claimed that Delhi had been turned into a “cantonment or fortress”.

He claimed that more than 15,000 people, including students, members of civil society and political figures, faced detention and police action. He also claimed that the curtailment of transport services and the deployment of signal jammers were aimed at suppressing peaceful protests.

NCP-SP spokesperson Anish Gawande said that attempts are being made to create a rift between civil society groups and opposition parties who are participating in the protests against the Chief Election Commissioner.

“The protests that took place against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have always represented unity between civil society actors and the opposition,” Gawande said.

Citing the detention of former chief ministers, MPs and political workers, he said opposition parties were participating in demonstrations organized by various political groups in Maharashtra and Delhi.

A false divide is being created between opposition parties and civil society actors seeking accountability, he said, adding that the two sides would continue to work together.

Srijan Bhattacharya of the Students Federation of India (SFI) said, “We are working with the widest possible unity against the dictatorship.”

The CJP representatives also criticized restrictions on access to Jantar Mantar, closure of metro stations, suspension of train services and preventive detention at transit hubs, alleging that these measures were intended to impede a peaceful assembly.

Organizers said the campaign for electoral transparency will continue in more states until constitutional rights are guaranteed.

“Civil disobedience and street protests will continue relentlessly until prisons are filled and the government is held accountable. Democracy is not for sale,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued an alert warning of possible traffic disruption in New Delhi and central Delhi on Sunday, October 11, in view of the law and order situation.

Diversions may take effect from 6 a.m. depending on prevailing conditions, the advisory said.

Several major roads and intersections could be affected, including areas around Jantar Mantar, Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, Mandi House, Rail Bhawan, Patel Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, Lodhi Road and Sardar Patel Marg.

Commuting passengers via New Delhi and Central Delhi towards railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and the airport have been advised to allow for extended travel time. Police also urged people to avoid unnecessary travel.

Traffic restrictions may be modified depending on ground conditions on a real-time basis, the advisory said, asking commuters to monitor the Delhi Traffic Police website for updates.

The CJP’s renewed call for protests came amid a large-scale security crackdown in Delhi on Saturday, with police detaining protesters, activists, political leaders and others at multiple locations, including routes leading to Jantar Mantar.

The demonstration was called to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Delhi Police denied permission for the rally and many protesters were detained before they could reach the proposed venue.

Published – 10 October 2026 23:05 IST