CJP holds ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ rally in Mumbai after permission sought for protests elsewhere

Mumbai: The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Lehrao Tiranga’ protest at Azad Maidan on Friday witnessed a lukewarm response, with an estimated 50 to 100 protesters attending at different times between 11 am and 5 pm. The protest, held with permission from the Mumbai Police, concluded peacefully with the national anthem.The protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the introduction of ballot papers in place of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for future elections. They also condemned the arrests of CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka and chief spokesperson Saurabh Das by the Delhi Police.Mumbai, Maharashtra: On CJP’s 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march, Social Activist Anjali Damania says, "We will wave our country’s Tricolour, and no one can stop us from doing so" https://t.co/a4N0wGNB2F— IANS (@ians_india) October 16, 2026Although the turnout remained low, the protest received support from several political and social activists. MNS Mumbai president Sandeep Deshpande visited the protest site in the afternoon, while social activist Anjali Damania and advocate Samya Korde also extended their support.‘The country belongs to everyone,’ says Deshpande Addressing the protesters, Deshpande said India belonged to everyone and not to any single individual or group. He questioned the circumstances surrounding the restrictions on protests and said the demonstrators had assembled to hoist the national flag.“Saurabh Ranka had gone there only to hoist the flag. I do not understand what is happening in this country. The government itself is shutting things down. I have never seen such a comedy government,” Deshpande said.Taking a dig at the ruling establishment, he also questioned whether public events and celebrations were being organised for everyone or only for particular groups.Deshpande said a change in the regime should come through the people's mandate and maintained that the tradition of protests in India was longstanding.“Our rights cannot be taken away. We have come here to ensure that democracy survives,” he said, adding that attempts to suppress public voices would only make them stronger. He stressed the need to protect democracy, the Constitution and citizens' rights.Mumbai: Stage Set For CJP’s 'Lehra Do Tiranga' Protest At Azad Maidan; Heavy Police Bandobast At Venue - VIDEOAnjali Damania questions Election Commission's functioning Social activist Anjali Damania, who visited the protest site later in the day, said she had supported CJP since its formation and stressed the need to protect democracy.“The arrogance and high-handedness that we are witnessing must be challenged. The public's anger is now coming out in the open,” Damania said.She questioned the Election Commission's functioning, alleging that despite having three members, it had taken a decision not to provide CCTV footage. She also alleged irregularities in the addition and deletion of voters' names from electoral rolls.Damania asserted that citizens had the right to hold peaceful protests and called for the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi to be made available again for demonstrations. She urged the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter.She also said she would carry the national flag from Azad Maidan towards the Gateway of India.Also Watch:Protesters demand ballot papers, impartial probe into voter deletions The protesters raised slogans such as “Gyanesh Kumar, resign”, “Delhi Police, shame on you” and “Release Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka”, alongside calls to scrap the SIR process and slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Inquilab Zindabad”.The key demands included an impartial investigation into allegations of names being deleted from electoral rolls and the use of ballot papers instead of EVMs in all future elections.Members of several organisations, including the Revolutionary Workers' Party of India, Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Disha Students' Organisation, Stree Mukti League and Hum Bharat Ke Log, participated in the demonstration.CJP representatives Jay Bhosale and Dhananjay Tawde, along with Baban Thoke and Firoz Mithiborwala, also addressed the gathering. Bhosale called for stricter laws and effective action against crimes against women, instead of an excessive focus on social media reels and publicity. Tawde said the movement against SIR should continue and stressed the importance of sustaining the protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.Advocate Samya Korde said the protesters would continue their agitation until Gyanesh Kumar resigned. She maintained that participating in peaceful protests and standing up for the Constitution could not be treated as a crime.CJP Delhi Protest: 'Humein Baksh Dijiye, Mahila Suraksha Pe Dhyaan Dijiye', Dipke Tells Cops Serving Him NoticePatriotic songs, including ‘Mera Rang De Basanti Chola’ and ‘Ek Dulara Sabko Pyara, Apna Hindustan’, were performed during the demonstration. The protest, which continued from morning until evening, concluded with the national anthem.Citizens join protest in support of democratic rights Jyoti Jadhav, a homemaker from Panvel, said she had learnt about the protest through Instagram and had travelled to Mumbai to extend her support.“I am a homemaker and have come all the way from Panvel only to support this protest,” she said.Another participant, Ibrahim Sarkar from Wadala, said he had joined the demonstration to demand Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. “The government must answer where our votes have actually gone,” he said.Also Watch:Bhim Army to organise Constitution-reading programme on Saturday Meanwhile, the Bhim Army has announced a Constitution-reading programme, distribution of copies of the Constitution and a peaceful protest on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 4 pm near the HP petrol pump on Naralibaug Road, Dadar West, in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park area.According to Ashok Kamble, Maharashtra state president of the Bhim Army, the programme will demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and protest against the alleged paper theft case. The organisers said the initiative aims to spread awareness about the constitutional principles of equality, liberty, fraternity and justice.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Amol Asulkar, coordinator of Citizens for Justice and Peace, says the demonstration was organised in solidarity with the protesters in New Delhi.

Mumbai: The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest began at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on Friday, with young protesters, including members of Gen Z, seen waving the national flag as part of the demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A video circulating online shows a group of participants holding and waving the Tricolour at the venue, with the protest appearing peaceful and no major sloganeering audible in the footage.Video Shows Protesters Waving TricolourMumbai, Maharashtra: Gen Z join the CJP’s Tiranga rally at Azad Maidan to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar pic.twitter.com/PbOvpJSL5K— IANS (@ians_india) October 16, 2026 The demonstration is being held in solidarity with CJP’s ongoing protest in New Delhi, where a similar demonstration has also been organised on Friday. The party has called on supporters to raise their voices against the Chief Election Commissioner.Ahead of the protest, Mumbai Police deployed additional personnel, barricades and police vans at Azad Maidan. Visuals of the security arrangements also surfaced online, showing police personnel stationed at various points around the venue. Security Ramped Up Around Azad Maidan#WATCH | Maharashtra: Heavy security deployment at Azad Maidan in Mumbai ahead of the CJP protest today. pic.twitter.com/Xx15RhC16c— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2026 Mumbai Police Grants Permission For One-Day Protest Mumbai Police granted CJP permission to hold the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ demonstration at Azad Maidan on October 16. The party urged supporters to assemble at the designated venue instead of proceeding to the Gateway of India. In a message to supporters, Team CJP said permission had been granted by Azad Maidan police station and appealed to people to gather at the ground to participate in the protest.According to the permission letter issued on Thursday, the demonstration is authorised from 9 am to 6 pm under Maharashtra government rules governing public meetings, protests and processions within the jurisdiction of the Additional Commissioner of Police, South Region. The party’s message to supporters had mentioned timings of 10 am to 5 pm. The permission was granted under Rule 4(2) of the regulations, with the notice also referring to Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.Mumbai: Stage Set For CJP’s 'Lehra Do Tiranga' Protest At Azad Maidan; Heavy Police Bandobast At Venue - VIDEO Azad Maidan is a designated location for rallies, demonstrations, sit-ins and public meetings. The arrangement is intended to provide space for protests while minimising disruption to traffic and nearby residents. Police have directed participants to remain within the designated ground and avoid gathering at its entrance or on adjoining roads as the demonstration continues. To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai: Mumbai Police stepped up security at Azad Maidan on Friday ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest, with barricades, police personnel and police vans deployed across the venue. A video showing the heavy security arrangements has surfaced online.#WATCH | Maharashtra: Heavy security deployment at Azad Maidan in Mumbai ahead of the CJP protest today. pic.twitter.com/Xx15RhC16c— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2026 The party has received permission to hold a one-day demonstration at Azad Maidan on October 16 in support of its ongoing protest in Delhi. The demonstration is expected to be peaceful, with police directing participants to assemble inside the designated ground rather than at its entrance or on adjoining roads.In a message to supporters, Team CJP said permission had been granted by Azad Maidan police station for the protest and urged people to gather at the venue instead of proceeding to the Gateway of India. “Come together and raise your voice!” the party said in its appeal to supporters.Also Watch: Permission Granted With Conditions According to the permission letter issued by Azad Maidan police station on Thursday, the demonstration has been authorised under Maharashtra government rules governing public meetings, protests and processions within the jurisdiction of the Additional Commissioner of Police, South Region.While the party’s message to supporters mentioned a schedule of 10 am to 5 pm, the police permission letter authorises the protest between 9 am and 6 pm. The permission has been granted under Rule 4(2) of the regulations, with the notice also referring to Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.Police said Azad Maidan is a designated venue for public meetings, rallies, demonstrations, sit-ins and processions. The location is intended to provide sufficient space for protests while minimising disruption to traffic and nearby residents.Mumbai Police Grant CJP Permission To Hold 'Lehrao Tiranga' Rally At Azad Maidan Today Maximum 5,000 Participants Allowed The police have capped attendance at 5,000 participants within the designated protest area, which covers approximately 7,000 square metres. Organisers are responsible for ensuring that the crowd does not exceed the permitted capacity.The conditions also prohibit processions towards or away from the designated protest area. Loudspeakers and public-address systems require prior permission, while cooking food and littering within the venue are prohibited. The authorisation is valid for one day only and is subject to the prescribed conditions.The security arrangements come as CJP continues its protest campaign in Delhi. Mumbai Police has allowed the party to hold its demonstration at Azad Maidan, while asking supporters to remain within the designated venue and avoid gathering at the Gateway of India. To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

The rally has been organised to express solidarity with party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, the CJP said in a press release.

The rally has been organised to express solidarity with party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, the CJP said in a press release.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police has granted permission to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to organise its ‘Lehrao Tiranga’ rally at Azad Maidan on Friday, October 16, even as the Delhi Police has reportedly denied permission for a similar protest in the national capital.Police confirm rally permissionThe permission allows CJP members to assemble at Azad Maidan between 11 am and 5 pm, an officer confirmed.Supreme Court Questions Delhi Police Over Jantar Mantar Protest Ban, Seeks Centre's ResponseSpeaking to The Free Press Journal, Raju Bidkar, Senior Police Inspector of Azad Maidan Police Station, confirmed that permission had been granted for the rally.Also Watch:Delhi rally permission remains uncertain“As Azad Maidan is a designated protest site, permission has been granted for a day,” a police officer said. The development comes amid uncertainty over the party’s request to hold a similar programme in Delhi, where it is awaiting permission from the police.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has been granted permission by Mumbai Police to hold a one-day Tricolour march at Azad Maidan on October 16, the police confirmed on Thursday.Explaining the decision, Mumbai Police said, “As Azad Maidan is a designated protest site, permission has been granted for a day.”CJP has been granted permission to hold a one-day tricolour march at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, as it is a designated venue for such protests : Mumbai Police pic.twitter.com/NKRnEr658G— IANS (@ians_india) October 15, 2026 March organised in solidarity with arrested leaders According to reports, the march has been organised to express solidarity with CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who were arrested by Delhi Police earlier this week.“The  programme, scheduled between 10 am and 5 pm on October 16, has been announced in response to the arrests linked to an incident at Jantar Mantar, where the two leaders and other party members allegedly entered the now-denotified protest site without permission and unfurled the national flag. Delhi Police have cited repeated violations of law and attempts to disturb public peace. The two leaders were sent to five days of judicial custody,” The Indian Express reported. CJP's Mumbai team has urged supporters to participate in large numbers, carrying the Tricolour as a mark of solidarity with the arrested leaders.Arrests following Jantar Mantar incidentThe march comes after Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were arrested and sent to Tihar Jail in New Delhi for five days. The two allegedly breached barricades and entered Jantar Mantar after it had been denotified as a designated protest site, violating restrictions imposed to maintain law and order.CJP's Abhijeet Dipke Announces 'Lehra Do Tiranga' Rally At New Delhi's Connaught Place On October 16 | VideoSimilar rally announced in DelhiMoreover, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on October 14 had announced a 'Lehra Do Tiranga' rally at Central Park in Connaught Place in New Delhi, on October 16 at 5 pm. He has also urged people across the country to organise similar marches in their respective cities.In a video message, Dipke appealed to people who support the national flag to join the rally and wave the Tricolour, asserting that displaying it should not be treated as a crime.Lehra do Tiranga 16 Oct | Central Park, CP | 5 PM pic.twitter.com/eFO1RfUBos— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 14, 2026 “Hello everyone, as you all know, Sourav and Ashu have been put in jail for waving the Tiranga. So, I request all the patriots, all the people who love the Tiranga, on 16th October, at 5 pm, all of you come to Central Park, Connaught Place, with the Tiranga. We will wave our Tiranga there, and we will tell that waving a Tiranga is not a crime,” Dipke said.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

New Delhi: Amid questions surrounding permissions and gathering crowds for the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' initiative, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday asserted that hoisting the national flag is a matter of pride and "not a crime." Speaking to reporters in the national capital here, Dipke reiterated that the planned event to hoist the national flag would proceed. "Tomorrow we are simply going to hoist the Tricolour. Our Tiranga is our pride, and hoisting the Tiranga is not a crime," Dipke told reporters before being escorted away. The statement came as reporters questioned him on the ground regarding alleged restrictions, bonds submitted to authorities, and permissions regarding gathering people at the venue, with references also made to Rajghat.Why does Delhi Police have a problem with waving the Tiranga? https://t.co/ickxVomyXV— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 15, 2026 'Lawlessness Never Wins': Singer Mary Milliben Slams CJP's Abhijeet Dipke Over His Tweet On PM, 'Why Is Modi Seeking The Support Of Americans?' Earlier, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) extended support to the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) "Tiranga Lehrao" call at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday (October 16) at 5 pm. The protest scheduled for Thursday (October 15) has been deferred. The decision comes following the arrest of CJP activists Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, and the reported threat of action against Abhijeet Dipke. AAP is expected to mobilise supporters on a large scale in support of the CJP’s call, while other organisations are also expected to join the initiative. After three days of the arrest of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, activist Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday questioned their detention, alleging that the two were being jailed in their own country for waving the national flag and fighting for change. In a post on X, Dipke wrote, “It’s Day 3 of Ashu and Saurav’s illegal arrest. Two young men who gave up their comfortable lives to fight for change are now languishing in jail.”It’s Day 3 of Ashu and Saurav’s illegal arrest.Two young men who gave up their comfortable lives to fight for change are now languishing in jail.Imagine being jailed in your own country for waving your own national flag. pic.twitter.com/uXXzOdlAcr— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 15, 2026 Imran Khan Gets Notice From Mumbai Police To Leave India; CJP's Abhijeet Dipke Reacts, 'An OCI Cardholder Can’t Say Anything Against BJP' “Imagine being jailed in your own country for waving your own national flag,” the post further read. On Wednesday, Dipke has called upon people to gather at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16 to hoist the Tricolour. In a post on X, Dipke wrote "Lehra do Tiranga" and he appealed to patriots and people who love the Tricolour to assemble at the park at 5 pm on October 16 and hoist the national flag. “As you all know, Saurabh and Aashu have been jailed simply for hoisting the Tricolour. So, I appeal to all patriots—to everyone who loves the Tricolour—to gather at Central Park, Connaught Place, on October 16th at 5 PM with the flag; we will hoist it there and demonstrate that waving the Tricolour is not a crime,” he said. Lehra do Tiranga 16 Oct | Central Park, CP | 5 PM pic.twitter.com/eFO1RfUBos— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 14, 2026 CJP Founder Dipke Accuses PM Modi, Amit Shah Of Waging 'War Against Own Countrymen' To Protect Gyanesh Kumar Calling the Tricolour a matter of national pride, he said, “Let these people—these autocrats—know that our Tricolour is our pride and hoisting it is not a crime. ”Dipke further said he was not worried about the possibility of being jailed after making the appeal, reiterating that he would hoist the national flag. “I might be jailed after this, but I am not worried about that. The Tricolour is my pride, and I will certainly hoist it,” Dipke said. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)