Hundreds of protesters gathered at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on October 2 for a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The protest went ahead even though police had denied permission. Party leader Dipke had been briefly detained on October 1 at Marine Drive, according to PTI reports.

Actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi joined the demonstration, lending star power to the gathering.

The CJP has three demands: the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, a freeze on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and the repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners.

The party, a satirical political outfit, has been using street protests and social media to question the Election Commission's functioning.

Police maintained a heavy presence at Shivaji Park but largely allowed the gathering to proceed. No major clashes were reported.

The Election Commission has not responded to the demands. The SIR exercise has been controversial in several states, with opposition parties alleging it could disenfranchise voters.