“Barricades Won’t Be Enough”: Abhijeet Dipke Warns Amid CEC Protest
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke and Shabana Azmi lead protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
In a fiery address during a massive protest against the Election Commission, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke issued a stern warning to authorities, claiming that the sheer volume of people arriving to protest would overwhelm existing security measures. Addressing a gathering in Mumbai on Friday, Dipke asserted that the movement against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is gaining momentum that cannot be contained by mere physical barriers.
Allegations of Political Bias in Police Force
The protest, which targeted Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, took a sharp turn when Dipke leveled personal accusations against law enforcement. He specifically named Delhi Police DCP Sachin Sharma, alleging that the officer maintains close ties to the ruling establishment.
"Some police officers were telling me that this Sachin Sharma is a Sanghi. He is Amit Shah’s favourite," Dipke claimed. He went on to issue a provocative challenge to the officer, stating, "If you are a Sanghi, wear khaki shorts (RSS uniform), don’t wear the police uniform!"
Shabana Azmi Defends the Right to Vote
Renowned actor Shabana Azmi also joined the protesters, framing the movement as a fundamental struggle for democratic rights. She spoke passionately about the sanctity of the electoral process and the potential consequences of disenfranchisement.
Azmi raised critical questions regarding the integrity of electoral rolls, asking what citizens would be forced to do if their names were arbitrarily removed from the lists. "We will protest! This is our right, and today, look as far as your eyes can see—this is a victory of democracy," she declared, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to vote.
Tensions Escalate Across Cities
The unrest is not limited to Mumbai. In Delhi, the atmosphere near Jantar Mantar remained highly charged as various groups staged demonstrations. The protests saw participation from:
- Members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI)
- Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI)
- Various opposition leaders
The situation in the national capital led to significant police intervention. Several opposition figures, including AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj, were detained by authorities. These detentions occurred under the prohibitory restrictions of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
The Core of the Dispute: SIR Irregularities
The protests stem from allegations of irregularities within the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. While CJP spokesperson Saurav Das used extremely strong language, labeling CEC Gyanesh Kumar a "traitor," the Election Commission has moved to defend its actions.
Despite reports suggesting that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections, the ECI has issued a clarification stating that all decisions regarding the SIR exercise were reached unanimously. Nevertheless, the protesters remain undeterred, with leaders promising that support for their cause will continue to pour in from across the country.