Jantar Mantar 2.0: CJP’s October 10 Protest Puts CEC in Focus

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has achieved a resounding victory in its very first attempt. Moreover, until the CJP emerged, there was an atmosphere in the country that nobody could strongly question or challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the entry of the CJP has changed the situation completely. It is not just the CJP; young people across the country are also deeply dissatisfied with the policies being followed by the Modi government at the Centre. They are openly expressing their discontent. Social media is the only weapon they have to voice their concerns. In the NEET paper leak controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had to resign from his post. The sit-in and protest demonstrations organised by the CJP at Jantar Mantar in Delhi were the reason behind this. Now, Jantar Mantar 2.0 is set to begin. Over the past few days, demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar have been growing across the country.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar is facing allegations that he is fully cooperating with the BJP, which is in power at the Centre, and overseeing the large-scale deletion of voters in the name of SIR. The movement has gained further momentum following reports on the issue in the national media recently. The matter has now reached the Supreme Court amid allegations that Gyanesh Kumar took unilateral decisions on several issues without considering the views of the Election Commission’s other two members. Over the past few days, the Congress, the principal opposition party in the Lok Sabha, along with other opposition parties, has been unanimously demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. With the same demand, the CJP has called for another massive protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 10. As a result, the atmosphere in Delhi has become highly tense. Large numbers of police personnel have been deployed, particularly in Central Delhi, and a decision has also been taken to suspend internet services.

Several trains arriving in Delhi have been cancelled, and authorities have decided to close 57 metro stations. The court has suggested reducing the number of stations to be closed, keeping in mind the needs of people travelling across the city for various purposes. At the same time, it stated that holding protests without permission is not lawful. Anyone violating the rules will have to face the appropriate consequences. Having achieved success in its first attempt, can the CJP now succeed in its campaign against CEC Gyanesh Kumar? Will he resign, as demanded by the opposition parties, the CJP and young people? This has now become a crucial question. There is considerable anticipation over how the issue will unfold following Saturday’s protest in Delhi. Delhi Police say that permission has not been granted for the CJP’s protests. However, the CJP maintains that it has already informed the authorities about its protest demonstration and argues that permission is not required. CJP leaders have also reacted to the closure of metro stations and the suspension of train services. Abhijeet Deepke and Saurav Das remarked, “Modi, take good care of your health. We are coming.”