Slogans of “Abhijeet Dipke Go Back” were reportedly raised in Mumbai on October 2 as a group identifying itself as “Gen Next Mumbai” staged a counter-protest against the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder Abhijeet Dipke.
The development came as Dipke led a “Jail Bharo Andolan” at Shivaji Park demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. While CJP supporters gathered at Shivaji Park despite Mumbai Police denying permission for the demonstration, the opposing group protested separately and raised slogans against Dipke.
The contrasting demonstrations highlighted growing disagreement around both the CJP’s methods and its latest political demands.
Counter-Protest In Mumbai
The counter-demonstration was reported near the CJP’s agitation, with people identifying themselves as members of “Gen Next Mumbai” protesting against the organisation and its founder. Reports and footage cited by the ANI and PTI showed a group holding placards and raising slogans against Dipke. The protest also reflected criticism from sections of students who had previously supported the CJP’s campaign over examination-related concerns but now questioned its shift towards electoral issues.
In Latur, Maharashtra, a separate group of students led by Satish Karande also protested against Dipke on October 2, displaying a banner that asked him to answer questions about the NEET issue and accusing him of no longer pursuing the matter with the same intensity. Karande said students wanted stronger safeguards against future examination irregularities and greater accountability. These claims were made by the protesters and have not been independently verified.
The developments unfolded as Dipke’s CJP held its own demonstration at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. According to reports, the CJP has also called for the electoral roll prepared in 2025 to be frozen and for a more transparent process to appoint the next Election Commissioner, including civil-society participation. Dipke has said the agitation will continue until Kumar resigns.
The CJP’s protest attracted several public figures, including actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi and singer-composer Vishal Dadlani. Shabana Azmi said at the protest that voting is a constitutional right.
Why The Protest Matters
The Mumbai agitation follows a renewed campaign by CJP against the Election Commission after reports raised questions about differences among election commissioners over decisions linked to electoral-roll processes. The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions were taken according to law and has rejected allegations of wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police had denied permission for the October 2 gathering at Shivaji Park, citing restrictions governing the use of the ground and other concerns including civic permissions, noise and traffic. Despite this, CJP went ahead with the protest, with Dipke saying he was prepared to face arrest. He also challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the restrictions.
Fadnavis had earlier warned that those arrested during an unauthorised protest could face jail before obtaining bail, according to reports. Dipke subsequently responded with “I will come again”, echoing Fadnavis’s well-known political phrase.
The day also saw a separate development involving Dipke and Mumbai Police. On October 1, he was briefly taken to the Marine Drive police station after being seen with supporters carrying placards. A police official said he was escorted to the station and released shortly afterwards. Dipke and his team disputed the characterisation of the incident, while police said he had not been formally detained. The episode added to tensions ahead of the main protest.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Protests and counter-protests are an important part of democratic expression, but disagreement should not become hostility towards individuals or groups. Whether citizens support CJP, oppose its demands, or simply want answers about electoral processes, the most meaningful public debate is one that relies on facts, evidence and respectful disagreement.
The “Go Back” slogans directed at Dipke also underline that movements claiming to represent young people may themselves face scrutiny from sections of the same constituency. At the same time, those raising objections to CJP deserve space to express them peacefully. Democracy is strengthened when competing voices can be heard without intimidation, personal abuse or violence. As political disagreements increasingly spill onto the streets, can India’s public discourse make more room for disagreement without losing empathy and respect?
Also Read: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Hits Out At CJP Over CEC Protest, Says ‘Fake Narrative Busted’
WATCH: ‘Abhijeet Dipke Go Back’ slogans raised against CJP founder Dipke in Mumbai https://t.co/f1tDkWFtVa
— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2026
