Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenor Saurav Das on Wednesday announced an intensified protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and that the same will be held on October 10 at Jantar Mantar, Delhi. Das told Delhi police about the proposed protest on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The protest is being organised over CJP’s demand for Kumar’s resignation and what the party describes as the need for structural reforms in the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Saurav Das sends formal notice to Delhi Police.
Das visited Parliament Street Police Station on October 7 and submitted a letter to authorities about the proposed gathering. He said the organization expected a large turnout and asked police to make arrangements for law and order and traffic management.
Das told Hindustan Times that CJP and young people from across the country will be gathering at Jantar Mantar. He also urged supporters to “pack their bags”, warning that the movement could become a “long fight”.
The Times of India reported that police had not granted permission for the proposed October 10 protest at the time of its report. Das questioned why permission is needed for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site.
CJP has made it clear that resignations alone will not end its campaign.
Das has made it clear that the organisation's demands extend beyond the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
He said that even if Gyanesh Kumar resigns, CJP would continue its campaign and would not back down from demanding reforms in the election commission.
According to his statement reported by Hindustan Times, the group wants to reform the electoral system and should also probe decisions that have been made during the SIR exercise, the group said.
The CJP has also demanded that the SIR exercise be frozen and that the January 2025 voter list be restored, as well as an independent investigation.
Three Key Demands ahead of October 10
The organisation has three main demands for its proposed protest.
First, it wants Gyanesh Kumar to resign and face criminal proceedings. Second, it wants the SIR exercise halted, upcoming elections paused and an independent inquiry ordered. Third, it calls for repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners and a new selection process.
Political and public criticism of the SIR exercise and claims of manipulation of electoral rolls has also been the subject of controversy. The Election Commission has rejected the perception that there are divisions among the three-member poll panel and has said that decisions on SIR were unanimous.
October 10 Protest Could Be The First Real Showdown
The proposed Jantar Mantar protest will be CJP’s second major demonstration at the site. The Indian Express reported that the organisation had earlier staged a prolonged sit-in in July over its demand for the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
CJP is now calling supporters to Delhi and Das insists that the campaign will continue even after a possible resignation, October 10 could be a crucial day for the group’s agitation over electoral reforms and the SIR exercise.
