K Annamalai, the former president of the Tamil Nadu BJP, has publicly expressed his support for the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and raised concerns regarding the Delhi Police’s handling of the case against its leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Annamalai, who left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in June to establish his own political organisation, We The Leaders, highlighted issues surrounding the ongoing judicial custody of the CJP leaders, suggesting it raises significant questions about the rule of law in the country.

He acknowledged that while he might not agree with some of the protest methods employed by the CJP, he firmly supports the questions the party has raised. Annamalai remarked, “I have a feeling they (Delhi Police) have taken the law into their hands, and the judge gets recused,” indicating his belief that the situation is being mishandled.

Furthermore, he stated that disagreements over the CJP’s protests should not dictate how its leaders are treated by law enforcement. He asserted that the government must provide answers regarding the arrests, adding that the treatment of CJP leaders could ultimately strengthen their resolve.

Court Decision on CJP Leaders’ Custody

These comments from Annamalai followed a recent decision by a Delhi court to extend the judicial custody of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by an additional two days. The leaders were taken into custody after reportedly entering Jantar Mantar, which is no longer designated as a protest site, and allegedly obstructing police personnel on duty. The incident involved CJP members waving the national flag and chanting slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar before their detention.

Their lawyer noted that the bail applications were rejected due to discrepancies in the submitted documents. The two leaders are expected to appear before the court again on Wednesday, as the CJP continues to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

The Election Commission has maintained that eligible voters whose names were incorrectly removed from the rolls can apply for re-enrolment, countering the CJP’s claims regarding the electoral process.

Abhijeet Dipke Critiques Government Leadership

In a related development, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, commending Das and Ranka for their resilience during their five days in judicial custody. He expressed his disbelief at the government’s actions, stating, “You must be feeling very strong keeping a 26-year-old Saurav Das in jail.” His comments reflect a broader criticism of the government’s approach to dissent and protest.

Dipke accused the authorities of using excessive force against young protesters, stating, “You must be feeling very strong beating children on the streets,” and he condemned the police’s actions in detaining the CJP leaders. He further alleged that their court hearings have been repeatedly postponed, questioning whether this reflects true strength.

Annamalai’s remarks and Dipke’s criticisms come at a time when Annamalai is solidifying his political identity following his departure from the BJP, while legal proceedings against the CJP leaders remain ongoing. The situation continues to develop as both political and legal ramifications unfold in the coming days.

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