Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has launched a sharp critique against the administration following the detention of CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde at Jantar Mantar.
The leaders were taken into custody after scaling locked gates and attempting to stage a demonstration at the site, which was recently de-notified as an official protest venue.
”Since When Has Waving the National Flag Become a Crime?”
Reacting to the police crackdown, Dipke questioned the legality of detaining individuals carrying and waving the national flag within their own country.
”Has hoisting the national flag become a violation of the law? Our team… went to Jantar Mantar this morning and waved the Tricolour there. Since when has waving the Tricolour become a violation of the law?” Dipke stated, as cited by news agency PTI.
Demanding strict accountability, Dipke added, “Strictest possible action should be taken against this, because how can you arrest someone for waving the national flag? What kind of country is this? What kind of rule is this?”
Flash Protest and De-Notification Backlash
The flash protest occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, with CJP members managing to breach the barricades and display the Tricolour inside the venue before law enforcement personnel intervened.
The site’s de-notification by the central government—which relocated designated protest zones to Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground—has faced continuous pushback from various political factions and activist groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Despite fresh detentions shortly after their release from previous custody, CJP leadership remains defiant, asserting that attempts to restrict public demonstrations will not suppress their movement.
