The demonstration, named “Jantar Mantar at Kochi”, will begin at Rajendra Maidan at 4 pm on Saturday. The organisation announced the programme on Thursday through its official account on social media platform X, inviting supporters to participate under the slogan “Save Democracy! Cancel SIR!”
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke is scheduled to attend alongside national secretary Aafreen Nawaz and Vijay Mallangi, who oversees the organisation’s activities in the southern region. The announcement signals an expansion of its campaign beyond Delhi, where earlier attempts to organise demonstrations encountered police intervention.
The organisation has accused the Election Commission of pursuing an electoral roll revision process that could undermine voting rights. Its campaign also seeks Kumar’s removal, reflecting broader objections to the commission’s handling of voter registration and electoral administration.
The Kochi programme will be the organisation’s first major announced demonstration since its leaders were detained in Delhi during October. The decision to organise the gathering in Kerala follows a confrontation over restrictions on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, traditionally associated with political protests in the national capital.
On October 13, Delhi Police detained Dipke and fellow CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das as they attempted to organise a demonstration against Kumar and the electoral revision exercise. Police maintained that the organisers lacked the necessary permission to hold the gathering.
The confrontation subsequently intensified after authorities withdrew Jantar Mantar’s designation as a protest venue. Das and Ranka entered the restricted location and displayed the national flag while opposing the decision. Both were arrested and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
They were released on October 21 after proceedings before a Special Executive Magistrate, having undertaken not to organise further demonstrations at Jantar Mantar while the restrictions remained applicable.
The Delhi developments have shaped the organisation’s decision to shift its campaign to another city. By adopting the name “Jantar Mantar at Kochi”, the CJP has linked Saturday’s proposed gathering with its earlier confrontation over access to public protest spaces.
The dispute has also involved police investigations arising from the October demonstrations. Das and Ranka appeared before the Delhi Crime Branch on Thursday after receiving summons connected with the Jantar Mantar trespassing case. Their appearance coincided with the announcement of the Kochi programme.
The CJP has continued to challenge the Election Commission’s approach to electoral roll verification, arguing that the exercise could exclude eligible citizens. However, the organisation has not established that the revision itself has resulted in systematic disenfranchisement. Its objections remain allegations requiring examination against official electoral records and applicable procedures.
The Special Intensive Revision involves scrutiny of electoral registers to identify eligible voters, correct inaccuracies and remove entries that do not meet statutory requirements. The Election Commission maintains that electoral roll revision is necessary to preserve the accuracy and integrity of voter lists.
The distinction between electoral verification and exclusion has become central to the controversy. Critics have questioned whether documentation requirements and verification procedures could disadvantage people who face difficulties establishing their eligibility. The commission’s stated objective is to ensure that electoral registers contain accurate particulars of eligible voters.
Kerala’s electoral administration has meanwhile moved towards the annual Special Summary Revision following completion of the intensive exercise. The Election Commission has scheduled publication of draft electoral rolls for November 12, followed by a period for submitting claims and objections until December 11.
Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Sajith Babu has outlined arrangements allowing registered political parties to examine draft electoral registers and submit objections through their booth-level agents. Electoral officials are also expected to conduct hearings and field verification where necessary to resolve discrepancies.
The timetable provides for disposal of claims and objections by December 28, with publication of the final electoral rolls scheduled for January 4, 2027. These procedures form part of the commission’s established mechanism for correcting electoral records before their finalisation.
The CJP has circulated campaign material calling for Kumar’s removal alongside its demand to cancel SIR. Its Kochi announcement identifies Rajendra Maidan as the principal gathering point, while accompanying publicity also refers to Marine Drive.
The organisation has not announced any confirmed attendance figures for Saturday’s programme. Its publicity identifies Dipke, Mallangi and Nawaz as participating leaders and invites members of the public to join the demonstration at the specified venue and time.
