New Delhi: Days after participating in a CJP-led demonstration in Delhi over alleged NEET irregularities, veteran actor Shabana Azmi has extended her support to a Mumbai protest over concerns surrounding voter lists and the right to vote.
In a video shared on Instagram, Azmi urged people to join the gathering at Shivaji Park at 4 pm on October 2 and appeal to the government to “protect your vote”.
“Your vote is your right. Your vote is your voice. But what happens when your vote disappears from the voter’s list? Join the protest for your democratic right. On 2nd Oct, Gandhi Jayanti. Shivaji Park, 4 pm. I will see you there,” read the note shared with the video.
In the video, Azmi stressed the importance of voting, saying that a citizen’s vote is their voice and can play a role in shaping the country’s future.
She said, “Your vote is your voice. Your vote is your right. Your vote can shape the future of this country. But what happens when your vote doesn’t count? What happens when your name suddenly disappears from the voter list, when your vote can be excluded, altered, or manipulated?”
Azmi also said that repeated requests for permission to hold the protests had not been granted.
She nevertheless urged people to come out, raise questions and voice their concerns.
“We have asked for permission to protest so many times, but we did not get permission. But asking questions is our right. So come out of your homes, ask questions, raise your voice for your vote, for your democracy,” she said.
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The proposed Mumbai protest comes amid a wider political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and electoral rolls.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by Abhijeet Dipke, has announced a nationwide agitation beginning in Mumbai.
The group has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a freeze on the 2025 electoral roll and greater transparency in the process of appointing the next CEC.
CJP has alleged that around 13 crore voters were removed from electoral rolls during the SIR exercise.
Dipke has argued that large-scale changes to electoral rolls could affect election outcomes, citing the vote-share difference between the NDA and INDIA bloc in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The claims are allegations made by CJP and have not been established as findings against the Election Commission.
Mumbai Police did not grant permission for the proposed CJP gathering at Shivaji Park, citing regulations governing public assemblies and traffic-related considerations.
The organisers, however, said they planned to proceed with the agitation.
