Election Commission row: Mumbai Police deny CJP permission for October 2 protest at Shivaji Park

The Mumbai Police have denied permission to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to hold a protest against the Election Commission at Shivaji Park on October 2, citing court-imposed restrictions on non-sporting activities at the ground, lack of BMC permission and concerns over noise and traffic congestion.

The Shivaji Park police conveyed the decision in a September 27 letter addressed to CJP national organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde. The party had sought permission to hold the protest at Shivaji Park in Dadar from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on October 2.

The police primarily cited restrictions imposed by the Bombay High Court on the use of Shivaji Park for activities other than sports. The notice referred to orders passed in a Public Interest Litigation petition of 2009, including a January 4, 2013 order concerning the use of the ground for non-sporting activities.

The High Court has previously restricted the use of Shivaji Park for non-sporting purposes, subject to specified exceptions and permissions.

The police also said the organisers had not submitted a permission letter for the use of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation-owned ground, as required under a Maharashtra government’s Urban Development Department decision dated January 20, 2016.

The third ground cited was the possible impact of the proposed gathering on residents, traffic and hospitals in the vicinity.

“Since the said area is a peaceful and residential area, the possibility of noise pollution cannot be ruled out,” the police communication said.

It added that the protest could lead to “huge traffic” in and around Shivaji Park and said congestion could affect the movement of patients as several hospitals are located in the area.

Citing the High Court orders as well as the State government’s 2016 decision, the police said permission for the October 2 protest at Shivaji Park and its surrounding area was being denied.

However, the police have not barred the CJP from holding a protest elsewhere in Mumbai. The organisation has been told that if it wants to organise the agitation at another location in the city, it can approach the police station concerned or the competent police authority for permission.

The proposed October 2 agitation is part of the CJP’s protest against the Election Commission. The outfit, founded earlier this year as a satirical political movement, has since organised protests on civic and political issues. Mr. Shinde is part of its national leadership and serves as its national organisation in-charge.

The October 2 CJP protest has also acquired a wider political dimension. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is expected to participate in the agitation, according to a report published on Sunday, while the opposition parties have separately announced demonstrations over issues concerning the Election Commission and the electoral roll revision exercise.