Delhi Protest: Will CJP call off demonstrations if CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns? Here's what we know

CJP co-convenor Saurav Das says Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation alone will not end the agitation. The group also seeks a freeze on SIR, an independent inquiry, and electoral reforms. Its Delhi protest faced heavy security restrictions, with leaders, activists, and hundreds detained ahead of the rally.

Delhi on Saturday turned into a scene of high political drama ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. Even before leaders and activists could reach the protest site, many were detained, including the outfit's founder Abhijeet Dipke, co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee.

Called by the CJP, the protest seeks the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. With the national capital under a security blanket, a question remains: would Kumar’s resignation be enough for the CJP to call off its protest?

CJ

Quick answers to key questions

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QUESTIONS

No. CJP co-convenor Saurav Das said Kumar’s resignation alone would not end the agitation; the outfit says it will continue until its demands are addressed.

CJP has called for upcoming elections to be put on hold, the SIR exercise to be frozen and an independent inquiry into SIR decision-making. It has also demanded criminal proceedings against Kumar and changes to the law and process for appointing election commissioners.

The protest concerns alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. A report cited in the articles said two Election Commissioners raised formal objections, including concerns that decisions were made and orders issued without their knowledge.

The outfit wants an independent inquiry commission to examine the decision-making processes involved in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

CJP has linked its demand to concerns about the electoral-roll revision and the decisions made during the SIR. The articles report that the exercise prompted debate over the Election Commission’s role in determining voter eligibility.

Will the CJP call off its protests? Here's what we know

According to a report in The Week, CJP's co-convenor Saurav Das said, "Even if Gyanesh Kumar resigns, we will not bow down." Das asserted that the satirical outfit, which was formed after the Chief Justice of India (CJI) likened unemployed youth to "cockroaches", would continue its agitation against Kumar until its demands were addressed.

According to media reports, the CJP is not just seeking Kumar's resignation but has also made several other demands. These include putting upcoming elections on hold, freezing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and constituting an independent inquiry commission to examine the decision-making processes involved in the SIR.

Separately, the satirical outfit has also called for criminal proceedings against Gyanesh Kumar and the repeal of the 2023 law governing appointments to the poll panel, and demanded an independent selection process for election commissioners.

Why is CJP seeking Kumar's resignation?

According to a report published in The Indian Express last month, over 130 million names have been removed from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union Territories during the ECI's SIR exercise, which began last year in Bihar. The exercise has triggered widespread debate over the poll panel's role in determining voter eligibility.

The investigation found that concerns were also repeatedly raised within the three-member Commission by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi during the same period. Although all three commissioners oversaw the nationwide SIR exercise, Sandhu and Joshi recorded at least 14 formal objections over 10 months, including four on one day. They said decisions had been made and orders issued without their knowledge.

CJP's protest in Delhi faces hurdles

As the CJP geared up to protest in the national capital, personnel from Delhi Police, Jammu & Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces were deployed to stop protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. Separately, authorities also announced the closure of at least 57 metro stations in the capital and the cancellation of some trains, despite a Supreme Court order directing the Centre not to impose a complete shutdown of public transport.

Dipke and CJP's co-convenors have been detained in the capital, along with some 1,500 other people, including politicians and activists. Dhruv Rathee was detained in Gurugram. Several others have also been detained in different parts of the country, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in Chandigarh and Tushar Gandhi, an activist and the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, in Mumbai.

Das’s remarks indicate that Kumar’s resignation alone would not be enough to end the agitation, with the CJP also pressing for an inquiry and changes to the electoral process. However, it remains to be seen whether Kumar will step down, as former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan did following the earlier protests.

About the Author

Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.