Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has called for a gathering at Central Park in Delhi on October 16, urging participants to bring the national flag. This announcement follows the recent detention of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were placed in judicial custody after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar, a site that has been recently denotified as a protest venue.

Dipke asserted that displaying the Tricolour should not be viewed as a criminal act. He drew parallels between the current situation and the treatment of freedom fighters during British colonial rule, emphasising the need to challenge the restrictions imposed on protests in the capital.

Judicial Custody of CJP Leaders

Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday. Ajinkya Shinde, who oversees national organisation for CJP and was also detained, was released on a personal bond, according to Ratna Singh, the party’s head of legal affairs. The Delhi Police had initially stated that the three leaders were placed under preventive arrest.

The detentions occurred early on Tuesday morning after the leaders entered Jantar Mantar, just a day after the area was officially removed as a designated protest site. According to CJP counsel Abhisht Hela, the police informed a Special Executive Magistrate that Das and Ranka had called for a public gathering at Jantar Mantar, labelling this as criminal trespass.

The police contended that a bond signed by the two leaders at the Delhi Cantt Police Station had been violated. Hela countered these claims, arguing that his clients had not breached any agreements nor had they made any calls for gatherings.

Political Reactions and Wider Opposition Campaign

The developments surrounding the CJP leaders’ detentions coincide with a broader campaign by the Opposition regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi convened a meeting with leaders from the INDIA bloc, civil society members, and activists to discuss the ongoing situation.

During this meeting, Gandhi emphasised the unity of the Opposition, stating that there was a singular protest aimed at restoring democracy in India. He expressed concerns over the government’s decision to cease the use of Jantar Mantar as a venue for democratic expression, vowing to challenge this restriction.

In a separate context, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) informed the Supreme Court that metro services in the capital had never been entirely halted. This statement was made in response to a plea alleging contempt of court regarding transport restrictions during the protests.

Political Exchanges Over Electoral Issues

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has publicly criticised the Opposition, particularly targeting Rahul Gandhi, regarding the upcoming 2029 elections. Shah asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would secure a significant victory, while the Congress party would face its fourth consecutive defeat.

He referenced the Congress party’s electoral struggles in various states, urging Gandhi to reflect on these outcomes. Shah noted that the SIR was implemented after the 2024 elections, questioning the relevance of the SIR to the Congress party’s past electoral failures.

In response, Congress MP KC Venugopal took to social media to challenge Shah’s comments, labelling him as a “Vote Chor” and highlighting the irony of celebrating electoral victories amidst concerns over the integrity of the electoral system. The ongoing political discourse reflects the tensions surrounding the CJP’s protests and the Opposition’s efforts to address electoral reforms.

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