Cockroach Janta Party demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation within 48 hours over SIR row, threatens nationwide protests dubbed 'Jantar Mantar 2.0'.

Introduction:
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over allegations that he has compromised voter rights through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on September 24, 2026, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke warned that failure to comply would trigger a large-scale agitation, which the group is calling "Jantar Mantar 2.0."

Body Content:

Background to the Row
The demand follows a report by The Indian Express indicating that the two other Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had formally objected at least 14 times between October 2025 and August 2026 to decisions connected with the SIR process objections the commissioners reportedly said were made without their prior knowledge in several instances.

Speaking to reporters, Dipke argued that the electoral process had been compromised and that citizens were being deprived of their right to vote, placing responsibility squarely on the CEC. He also urged Opposition parties to take a firmer stand, arguing that continuing to contest elections while simultaneously alleging rigging was contradictory.

CJP co-convenor Saurav Das linked the issue to the group's ongoing "School Theek Karo" campaign, saying that public frustration was growing and that protecting voting rights remained central to that effort.

Three Core Demands
Beyond the resignation call, the CJP laid out two additional demands. Co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka called for criminal proceedings to be initiated against the CEC without delay, and for an independent inquiry commission to examine the entire SIR process. He further urged the Supreme Court to take custody of SIR-related documents before they could be destroyed, and called for all upcoming elections to be paused while the pre-SIR electoral rolls from January 2025 are restored across all states.

The organisation's third demand centers on repealing the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, in favour of a new, more transparent selection process involving civil society participation.

Democracy at Stake, CJP Claims
Dipke went further in criticizing the CEC, describing him as the biggest threat facing Indian democracy, pointing to the ruling party's expanded electoral performance in recent state polls compared to earlier years. He argued that decisions over who is eligible to vote should rest with the electorate, not the Election Commission leadership.

Das, referencing the Indian Express investigation, said the dissent recorded by the other two commissioners had been effectively disregarded, with the SIR process continuing uninterrupted for roughly a year and a half despite internal objections.

Police Presence at Press Conference
The press conference was held at the NM Centre in New Delhi, where more than a dozen police personnel were stationed outside the venue as a precautionary measure.

Key Highlights:

• CJP has given CEC Gyanesh Kumar a 48-hour deadline to resign (from September 24, 2026)
• Threat of nationwide protests termed "Jantar Mantar 2.0" if the demand is not met
• Two other Election Commissioners reportedly objected to SIR-related decisions at least 14 times between October 2025 and August 2026
• CJP demands: (1) CEC's resignation, (2) criminal proceedings against him and an independent inquiry into SIR, (3) repeal of the 2023 CEC appointment law
• Call for restoration of pre-SIR electoral rolls from January 2025 across all states
• Over a dozen police personnel deployed outside the press conference venue

Professional Disclaimer & Third-Party Reference:
This article is compiled based on facts and statements reported by third-party news sources, including The Hindu and The Indian Express. All quotes and claims attributed to individuals or organizations reflect their original reporting. Readers are advised to refer to the original publications for complete context and updates on this developing story.

Conclusion:
With the 48-hour deadline now active, attention turns to whether the Election Commission responds to the CJP's demands or whether the group proceeds with its planned nationwide agitation. As the SIR controversy continues to draw scrutiny, further developments are expected in the coming days stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.