24/09/2026
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24/09/2026
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NEW DELHI, Sept 24: Mahatma Gandhi showed India and the world that the strongest challenge to injustice need not come through weapons or force, but through Satyagraha, 'the pursuit and force of truth ', and 'Ahimsa', the principle of non-violence. Drawing on the enduring idea that courage can confront power without hatred or violence, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar within 48 hours and warned of launching a nationwide agitation if he refuses to step down. As India nears the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi's philosophy placed truth and non-violence at the heart of resistance, and his legacy remains closely associated with peaceful action against injustice.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke made the demand at a press conference in New Delhi, following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections to several decisions related to the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Indian Express reported that the two commissioners had formally raised objections at least 14 times over the past 10 months.
Dipke accused Kumar of undermining India's electoral system and alleged that the SIR process had resulted in the deletion of more than 13 crore (130 million) names from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union Territories. The figure is an allegation by the CJP and should not be treated as an established finding against the Election Commission.
The CJP also alleged that the electoral-roll revision was affecting young and first-time voters. The Economic Times reported on Thursday that the annual Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls for 2026-27 has been delayed, potentially affecting the timely inclusion of newly eligible 18-year-old voters. According to the report, Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi had advocated resuming the annual exercise.
The controversy also concerns changes to Form 6, which is used by new voters to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls. The Indian Express reported that Sandhu and Joshi objected to changes requiring applicants to provide information related to previous SIR electoral rolls, describing the change as unauthorised and calling for its removal.
CJP's three demands
The CJP called for Kumar's immediate resignation, criminal proceedings against him and an investigation into the authority under which the alleged decisions were taken.
It also demanded that upcoming elections be put on hold, the SIR exercise be frozen, the electoral roll be restored to the January 2025 version and an independent inquiry commission be established to examine decisions connected with the revision process. The group further called for SIR-related records to be placed in the custody of the Supreme Court.
The CJP also demanded repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of Election Commissioners and its replacement with legislation involving civil society participation.
Dipke urged political parties not to participate in elections if they believed the electoral process had been compromised and called on the public to join the proposed agitation.
“If within 48 hours Gyanesh Kumar doesn't resign, the Cockroach Janta Party will start a nationwide agitation,” Dipke said.
The Election Commission has rejected suggestions that the reported objections indicate a split within the three-member panel. In a statement signed by all three commissioners, the ECI said differing views and internal checks are a normal part of deliberations and maintained that its decisions, including those concerning SIR, were taken unanimously.
