Your vote is your voice: Shabana Azmi urges people to join October 2 protest

Actor Shabana Azmi has urged people to join a protest in Mumbai on October 2 over concerns surrounding voter lists and the right to vote. Sharing a video on social media, the actor appealed to citizens to gather at Shivaji Park at 4 pm on Gandhi Jayanti and “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,” Shabana wrote while sharing the video.

In the video, Shabana begins by recalling the message that citizens have heard throughout their lives — that their vote is their voice and can help shape the future of the country.

“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?” she asked. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18)

She went on to say that the issue was not about any particular political party but about the voting rights of citizens.

“Today, the question is not about any party. The question is about your vote, my vote, all of our votes,” she said.

Shabana also said that permission had been sought several times to hold protests but was not granted. She nevertheless urged people to come out and raise questions.

“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.

She concluded by asking people to meet at Shivaji Park at 4 pm on October 2.What is the protest about?

The planned Mumbai protest comes amid a wider political confrontation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and electoral rolls.

The Cockroach Janta Party, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, has announced a nationwide agitation, beginning in Mumbai. The group has listed three key demands: the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, freezing of the 2025 electoral roll and greater transparency in the appointment process for the next CEC.

The group has also alleged that large-scale deletions from electoral rolls have left around 13 crore voters disenfranchised without the required documentation and verification process. These are allegations made by the protesters and have been a point of political contention.

Mumbai Police had denied permission for the proposed gathering, citing regulations concerning public assemblies and traffic movement. Despite this, the organisers said they would go ahead with their plans.

At the same time, the INDIA bloc has launched its 'Save Democracy Week', with demonstrations being held at the district level against the Election Commission.

The ruling NDA has questioned the motive behind the protests and alleged that the campaign is aimed at defending bogus voters.

The developments come amid an ongoing political debate over the electoral rolls, voter verification and the SIR exercise, with opposition parties and protest groups demanding greater transparency from the Election Commission.- Ends