Ajinkya Shinde, the national organisation in-charge of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is set to lead the group’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 10, 2026, following the detention of its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, and other key leaders.
The demonstration seeks the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Dipke, who had travelled from Mumbai to participate in the agitation, was detained by Delhi Police after his flight landed in the national capital, along with CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. In a pre-recorded video, Dipke had identified Shinde as the person who would carry the movement forward if the leadership were detained.
The development has placed Shinde at the centre of the organisation’s protest at a time of heightened security in Delhi and restrictions on the planned gathering. While CJP has criticised the police action, authorities have cited procedural issues and law-and-order concerns in denying permission for the demonstration.
From Organiser To Protest Leader
Ajinkya Shinde has emerged as a prominent organisational figure within the CJP, a youth-led political group known for its outspoken campaigns and social media presence. As the party’s national organisation in-charge, he has been involved in coordinating its activities and mobilising supporters. He also played a key role in the organisation’s Mumbai agitation earlier in October, making him a central figure in the group’s preparations for the Delhi demonstration.
Shinde’s elevation to the leadership role comes after Dipke anticipated the possibility of being detained ahead of the protest. In a pre-recorded video shared by the party, Dipke explained the succession plan and asked supporters to follow Shinde if he and his colleagues were taken into custody.
“If you’re watching this video, that means Ashutosh, Saurav, and I have been arrested. After us, this movement will be led by Ajinkya,” Dipke said in the video, according to reports. He also urged supporters to follow Shinde, saying that he would carry the Cockroach Janta Party forward.
The message indicated that the organisation had prepared for the possibility of its leading members being detained before they could reach the protest site. Shinde’s responsibility therefore extends beyond representing the group at Jantar Mantar; he is also expected to help maintain coordination among supporters and sustain the campaign in the absence of its prominent leaders.
Shinde has also been associated with the CJP’s ‘School Theek Karo’ campaign, which focuses on improving the condition of government schools across India. The initiative forms part of the organisation’s broader public-facing activities beyond its political demonstrations. His growing visibility on social media has further contributed to his emergence as one of the group’s recognisable representatives.
Why The Protest
The CJP’s planned demonstration on October 10 centres on demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls. The revision process has been the subject of political debate, with critics raising concerns about the potential exclusion of eligible voters. Allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions, however, must be distinguished from established findings, and claims of wrongdoing require scrutiny through evidence and appropriate legal or institutional processes.
Ahead of the demonstration, Delhi Police denied permission for the gathering, reportedly citing the failure to apply sufficiently in advance, procedural requirements and concerns about maintaining law and order. Authorities also prepared for possible disruptions, with heightened security measures and restrictions affecting movement in parts of the capital.
On October 10, Dipke, Das and Ranka were detained by Delhi Police after arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport from Mumbai. Videos shared by Dipke showed police personnel entering their aircraft after it landed. A senior police officer subsequently confirmed the detention of the three CJP leaders, according to reports. The party condemned the action, describing it as an attempt to prevent its leadership from participating in the planned demonstration.
The detentions came amid wider preventive measures ahead of the protest. Reports also indicated that other individuals suspected of participating in the demonstration were detained, while security personnel restricted access to areas around the planned gathering. These measures have raised questions about the balance between preventing potential disorder and protecting the right to peaceful assembly.
The immediate focus is now on whether Shinde and other CJP members can continue the planned agitation despite the absence of the organisation’s founder and senior colleagues. The police’s stated concerns about procedure and public order remain relevant to assessing the restrictions, but the circumstances of the detentions and the treatment of peaceful demonstrators also warrant public scrutiny.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The developments surrounding the CJP protest underline the importance of safeguarding democratic participation while ensuring that public demonstrations remain peaceful and lawful. Citizens must be able to raise concerns about electoral processes and demand accountability from public institutions without fear of arbitrary or disproportionate restrictions. Equally, allegations of electoral irregularities should be examined through credible evidence, transparent procedures and established institutional mechanisms rather than treated as proven facts before they have been verified.
Authorities have a responsibility to maintain public order, but restrictions on assemblies and preventive detentions should be necessary, proportionate and supported by clear legal grounds. Political organisations, meanwhile, must communicate their demands responsibly, avoid provocation and ensure that their supporters do not resort to violence or intimidation. Disagreement is an essential part of democracy, and neither confrontation nor the suppression of peaceful dissent offers a lasting solution.
As Ajinkya Shinde takes on a more prominent role in the CJP’s campaign, the response to the planned demonstration will also test how effectively competing democratic rights and public-safety concerns can be balanced. Transparent communication, accountability and dialogue can help prevent tensions from escalating while allowing citizens to express their views. How can authorities and protest organisers work together to protect the right to peaceful dissent while ensuring public safety and trust in democratic institutions?
IMPORTANT Until Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in detention, CJP’s Organization In-Charge Ajinkya Shinde will lead this protest at Jantar Mantar. Abhijeet had pre-recorded this video last night in anticipation of a potential arrest. @AjinkyaCJP https://t.co/WSQ69mKfTV
— Cockroach Janta Party – CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
