CJP Leaders Say They Are Prepared for Arrest Ahead of Mumbai Protest Over CEC

CJP had announced the agitation as part of its campaign over what it alleges are irregularities in electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission. The organisation has accused Kumar of being responsible for the alleged deletion of voter names, claims that have not been established as fact.

CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka said the organisation would not withdraw from the agitation even if participants faced arrest. He argued that the protesters were prepared to face imprisonment if doing so would lead to accountability over the issues raised by the group.

The protest was scheduled to take place at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Friday, with CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke having earlier announced the demonstration and called for Kumar's resignation. The organisation has said the Mumbai protest would mark the beginning of a wider nationwide agitation.

CJP co-convenor Saurav Das urged young people to participate, drawing a comparison with the organisation's earlier mobilisation at Jantar Mantar. He said the group wanted to build a broader movement around concerns over electoral rights and the functioning of democratic institutions.

Das also alleged that individuals associated with the BJP had attempted to interfere with preparations for the protest. He said the organisation had shared photographs concerning the alleged attempts with authorities.

The CJP leader said the organisation had informed Mumbai Police about the planned demonstration and expressed hope that organisers and law enforcement would cooperate to ensure that the protest remained peaceful.

The group had previously said it intended to hold the Mumbai demonstration despite police denying permission, while organisers maintained that the protest would be conducted peacefully.

Another CJP leader, Sidhant Bhardwaj, said supporters had begun arriving at the venue ahead of the scheduled start time. He described the gathering as a demonstration of public concern over the issues raised by the organisation.

Bhardwaj claimed that the group expected between 40,000 and 50,000 participants, with the possibility of attendance exceeding one lakh. This figure was an estimate from the organisation and had not been independently verified.

The CJP's demands centre on the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and changes to the electoral-roll revision process. The organisation has also called for wider changes concerning the functioning of the Election Commission.

The planned Mumbai demonstration comes amid a wider political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties and other groups have also raised concerns about the process, while the Election Commission has maintained that the exercise is intended to address issues involving electoral rolls.