CJP 'Chappal protest' in Bengaluru on October 8: After Delhi and Mumbai, Cockroach Janta Party turns to IT city; timing, venue, demands and all you need to know

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will hold a ‘Chappal protest’ in Bengaluru on Thursday, October 8, following a People’s Tribunal on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protest will be held at Freedom Park and is scheduled to begin after the tribunal, with the programme starting at 10.30 am. CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka announced the Bengaluru protest on Wednesday, saying the event would bring attention to people who, according to the organisers, were removed from the voters list during the SIR exercise.

CJP Bengaluru protest: Timing and venue

The protest is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. According to Ranka, the programme will begin at 10.30 am onwards with the People’s Tribunal on SIR. The ‘Chappal protest’ will follow the tribunal.

"Action packed Thursday for Bengaluru! Freedom Park, 10.30am onwards. This Thursday, Oct 8, we will be attending the People’s tribunal on SIR, interacting with Kannadigas who have been wrongfully removed from the voters list. This would be followed by a “Chappal protest” in solidarity with our women. Look forward to seeing you all in large numbers!" Ranka said in a post.

Why is CJP holding the ‘Chappal protest’ in Bengaluru?

The protest is part of CJP’s campaign against the SIR exercise and the Election Commission under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The People’s Tribunal is being organised by civil society groups from across Karnataka. The groups have raised concerns about deletions from electoral rolls during the revision exercise. CJP has demanded that the deletions made during the SIR be scrapped and that electoral rolls prepared before the exercise be retained. The organisation has also sought the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the electoral process.

Who are likely to attend CJP's Bengaluru Chappal Protest?

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, spokesperson Saurav Das and co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka are expected to participate in the programme. Actor Prakash Raj is also expected to attend along with representatives of youth and civil society organisations. Raj urged citizens to join the People’s Tribunal and protest at Freedom Park.

"People’s Tribunal by Cockroaches..Dipke.Ashuthosh.. Sourav and all the youth organisations and the civil society.. The victims of SIR from across the state will be present . requesting all the citizens to participate in this fight to save our Democracy.. come join us tomorrow 8th October at Freedom Park. Bengaluru" (sic).

What is CJP alleging about the SIR?

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das has alleged that the SIR exercise has resulted in large-scale deletion of voters from electoral rolls. Das cited the Bela Estate settlement in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk constituency as an example. He alleged that 908 of 909 voters in the settlement had been deleted during the SIR.

"See how Gyanesh Kumar’s Election Commission ensured that only ONE out of 909 persons in this Delhi settlement survive the SIR." "This is the Bela Estate settlement in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk constituency where 908 out of 909 voters have been deleted during the SIR in Delhi." Das said.

"This is only a small sample of what Gyanu has actually done NATIONWIDE, against the people of India, all in the service of ONE political party," he added.

Das further claimed that more than 13 crore voters had been deleted from electoral rolls across the country. "13+ crore voters have been deleted from the voters list across India. 98 crore eligible voters existed in 2024. The biggest disenfranchisement exercise in the world, under Gyanu, at the behest of Modi and Shah!," Das said. 'Now these people and the young generation will ensure Gyanu’s accountability starting October 10th," Das said.

What are CJP's demands?

CJP has listed three key demands linked to its campaign. Dipke has called for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and criminal action against him. The organisation has also demanded that the SIR be stopped.

The third demand concerns the appointment process for Election Commissioners. CJP has called for an independent and neutral process.

"We have three demands. First is the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, along with that, he should be booked under criminal charges and the SIR should be stopped. The last demand is that the appointment of Election Commissioner should be done independently and neutrally," Dipke said, adding that the EC should not be merely the "choice of Amit Shah and Narendra Modi.''

The Bengaluru ‘Chappal protest’ is therefore part of a wider CJP campaign against the SIR exercise. The October 8 programme at Freedom Park will begin with the People’s Tribunal before moving to the protest announced by Ranka.

CJP plans October 10 protest

The Bengaluru programme comes ahead of a proposed CJP protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 10. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke had earlier accused the BJP-led central government of using the SIR exercise to undermine voting rights. He also alleged that Maharashtra Police were attempting to prevent CJP activists from attending the proposed protest.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Dipke said, "One Nation, One Election is just a slogan. The actual intention of the ruling dispensation is to push the country toward 'one nation, one political party'." He alleged that the objective of the one nation, one election proposal was to affect citizens’ voting rights.

"this is not about one party or ideology, it is a fight for the survival of Indian democracy." Dipke also claimed that Chandrapur police had served notices to CJP workers and asked them not to participate in the October 10 protest.

"I have said multiple times that the Maharashtra Police is the best police force in the country, and the Delhi Police should learn from them. But it is heart-breaking that the Chandrapur police served notices to CJP workers, asking them not to participate in the protest at Jantar Mantar. They also asked CJP workers about the source of funds for travelling to Jantar Mantar," he said.

"The police stated (in the notice) that the agitation is going to be "violent". How do the police know so early that the agitation would be violent? Have they planned anything in advance?'' he asked.

Dipke also criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the alleged police action.

''Why Devendra Fadnavis is trying to be UP CM Yogi Adityanath 2.0? He should know about the legacy of Maharashtra. He should not disrespect and misuse the Maharashtra Police for political ambitions. Instead of harassing our workers, they should arrest me...If they want they should put me behind the bars and charge me with UAPA, NSA. They should not harass our workers,'' he said.