BJP's Darekar slams CJP Shivaji Park protest as 'political drama'
Synopsis
BJP MLC Pravin Darekar fired back at the CJP's Shivaji Park protest in Mumbai, accusing organisers of turning a student-issue agitation into a targeted political hit on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar — and demanding an apology over activist Abhijit Dipke's alleged remarks on B.R. Ambedkar's legacy.
Key Takeaways
BJP MLC Pravin Darekar labelled the CJP protest at Shivaji Park, Mumbai on 2 October a 'political drama' with poor turnout.
Darekar alleged the protest shifted from student issues to a targeted attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar .
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Mahesh Sawant , Sainath Durge , and MNS workers were cited as evidence of opposition infiltration of the agitation.
Activist Abhijit Dipke allegedly claimed B.R.
Ambedkar 's stature grew primarily due to Jawaharlal Nehru ; Darekar demanded an immediate public apology.
Darekar defended the Special Summary Revision (SIR) electoral roll process, saying it removes only ineligible or duplicate entries with a clear objections procedure.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Pravin Darekar on Friday, 2 October, launched a sharp attack on a protest organised by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, declaring it a complete failure driven by political motives rather than genuine public concern.
BJP Calls Out 'Political Drama'
Addressing a press conference, Darekar alleged that the protest — originally billed as an agitation over student issues — quickly transformed into what he described as a staged political performance targeted at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He pointed to what he characterised as a dismal turnout as evidence that the event lacked genuine public backing.
Darekar noted the presence of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Mahesh Sawant, Sainath Durge, and several Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers at the protest, asserting that the participation of opposition political figures had diverted the agitation from its stated purpose.
Controversy Over Remarks on B.R. Ambedkar
Darekar reserved particular condemnation for activist Abhijit Dipke, demanding an immediate public apology over remarks allegedly made at the event. According to Darekar, Dipke claimed that B.R. Ambedkar's stature and intellect grew primarily because of Jawaharlal Nehru — an assertion Darekar termed deeply offensive and an insult to the legacy of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
Darekar also remarked that organisers had repeatedly asked Dipke to stay calm during the protest, which he said exposed a lack of coordination within the agitation's leadership.
BJP Defends Electoral Roll Revision Process
Responding to concerns raised at the protest over the Special Summary Revision (SIR) process of the electoral roll, Darekar clarified that the exercise is designed to purify the voters' list — not to arbitrarily delete names. He stated that, under standard regulatory protocols, only ineligible entries or duplicate registrations are removed, and that a clear procedure for claims and objections remains available to every citizen.
He accused the CJP of attempting to further its own political agenda by maligning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and defaming the Election Commission of India as an institution. This comes amid broader national debate over the integrity of voter roll revision exercises ahead of upcoming state elections.
Defence of Fadnavis, Modi, and RSS
Responding to criticism of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis voiced at the protest, Darekar advised critics to study Fadnavis's political journey before casting aspersions, describing him as a leader nurtured in the values of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) who has never engaged in power-hungry politics. He similarly dismissed attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pointing to the Prime Minister's international standing.
Darekar concluded that the opposition's rhetoric against the RSS and central leadership confirmed the protest was, in his view, an orchestrated exercise aimed at generating media attention rather than addressing substantive public issues. The CJP had not responded publicly to these charges at the time of reporting.
Point of View
The BJP is clearly anxious to control the narrative before it hardens. The Ambedkar remark allegation is a useful political lever: it lets the BJP simultaneously defend a constitutional icon and discredit the protest's moral authority. What is notably absent from Darekar's rebuttal is any substantive engagement with the specific SIR grievances that civil society groups have raised, suggesting the response is designed for headline management rather than issue resolution.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the CJP protest at Shivaji Park about?
The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) organised a protest at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on 2 October, originally centred on student issues and concerns over the Special Summary Revision (SIR) process of the electoral roll. BJP MLC Pravin Darekar alleged that the event quickly shifted focus to attacks on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and became a politically driven demonstration.
Why did BJP's Pravin Darekar demand an apology from Abhijit Dipke?
Darekar demanded an immediate public apology from activist Abhijit Dipke over remarks Dipke allegedly made at the protest, in which he claimed that B.R. Ambedkar's stature and intellect grew primarily because of Jawaharlal Nehru. Darekar termed the remarks deeply offensive and an insult to Ambedkar's legacy as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
What is the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll?
The Special Summary Revision is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and clean the voters' list. Darekar clarified that it removes only ineligible or duplicate entries and that a formal procedure for filing claims and objections is available to all citizens.
Which opposition figures were present at the Shivaji Park protest?
According to Darekar, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Mahesh Sawant, Sainath Durge, and several Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers were present at the protest. He cited their participation as evidence that the agitation had been taken over by opposition political interests.
How did BJP respond to criticism of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the protest?
Darekar dismissed the criticism, advising detractors to study Fadnavis's political journey before making allegations. He described the Chief Minister as a leader shaped by RSS values who has never pursued politics for personal gain, and similarly rejected attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
