CJP Protest in Mumbai: Security measures in and around Shivaji Park outside Jail Bharo Andolan | Today’s news
The Jail Bharo Andolan led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is set to begin in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park. The protest is being held against the Election Commission and alleged irregularities in the SIR process, despite the Mumbai Police refusing permission for the event. A heavy police presence was seen at the protest site on Friday.
Security beefed up for CJP’s protest in Mumbai
Railway authorities have reportedly deployed forces in and around Dadar station and the iconic park in Mumbai, PTI reported.
The CJP demonstration is said to begin at 4 p.m.
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The CJP’s protest in Mumbai is primarily against the Election Commission demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process.
Security around Shivaji Park has been significantly beefed up with heavy police deployment, barricades at access points and involvement of various agencies to maintain law and order.
Local residents are against the protest due to fears of inconvenience caused by large gatherings, disrupting their daily activities and leading to traffic problems in the area.
The CJP has demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and demanded transparency in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner as well as the freezing of the electoral roll for 2025 to prevent manipulation.
Yes, citizens may be concerned because protests can lead to traffic disruptions and affect public order in the area, while also highlighting broader issues of electoral integrity and governance.
Ahead of the protest, security around Shivaji Park was beefed up with police personnel, including women. Teams from other agencies have reportedly been deployed at key points to maintain law and order, the official said.
Several images showed barricades installed at several main access points to the park as a precautionary measure.
Read also | EC orders special ride for left out, new voters in states where SIR has ended
Residents are against the Shivaji Park protests
The planned protest provoked opposition from residents in the area. Many of them expressed concern about the event, citing inconvenience to local residents as the reason.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das urged the people of Mumbai to join the protest.
Local resident Sunil Bhagwat said the frequent protests cause inconvenience to residents who visit the park for walks.
“We go here for walks in this park, but lately there have been many protests. Who is responsible for the trouble caused to the common people? Didn’t the Constitution explain your responsibilities to other people? Who is responsible for the problems that the common man is facing here?” ANI said.
Another resident, Ravindra, alleged that the large gathering had caused traffic problems and inconvenience to residents.
“Earlier when these people protested, they said it was a spontaneous protest. There was such a huge crowd that it reached Dadar Shivaji Park station itself. Liquor bottles were thrown at those who came here,” ANI added.
Read also | CJP Protest LIVE update: 500 detained at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar
What are the demands of the protesters
The CJP announced its protest and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The CJP also demanded transparency in the appointment of the CEC along with demands to freeze the electoral roll for 2025, adding that it should not be “manipulated further”.
CM Devendra Fadnavis reacts
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit back on Friday, saying a “false narrative” was being pushed against the Election Commission, which was “arrested” after the Election Commissioner denied it through a press statement.
According to ANI, Fadnavis said, “The whole matter has been exposed. After a press conference held by the three election commissioners, their fake story has been debunked. Yet attempts are still on to push this fake story. They are failing.”
The allegations emerged after media reports found that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections to decisions and orders related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls at least 14 times in 10 months. Allegedly some of them, they claimed, were issued without their knowledge.
