The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) conducted a Tiranga march in Bengaluru on Friday, following police approval under specific conditions. This event aimed to express solidarity with CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and spokesperson Saurav Das, who were placed in five-day judicial custody in Delhi on October 14. They faced allegations of breaching peace bonds and unlawfully entering Jantar Mantar, which is no longer recognised as a protest site.

Police Regulations and Restrictions

The march was initially planned to commence at Town Hall at 4 pm and conclude at the Quit India Memorial. However, participants were permitted to gather only after police granted them a window from 5 pm to 6.30 pm. The organisers stated their intention to conduct a peaceful march, yet police imposed restrictions that prohibited any form of protest or symbolic demonstration at Town Hall, along the route, or near the memorial.

During the event, police maintained a visible presence to ensure compliance with the regulations. Reports indicated that when some members of the CJP raised slogans against a political party, senior officers intervened, urging them to proceed with the march in a peaceful manner. A copy of the police permission, shared by the organisers, explicitly prohibited participants from voicing slogans against any political entity, community, or individual.

Additionally, the organisers were instructed not to display any protest placards, banners, or materials that could potentially disrupt public order. They were also required to ensure that the march did not impede public or vehicular traffic. The police reiterated adherence to a Karnataka High Court order that restricts protests, processions, and similar activities in Bengaluru to Freedom Park.

The police permission further warned that legal action would be taken if any of the conditions related to the High Court order were breached during the assembly at Town Hall, throughout the march, or upon concluding near the Quit India Memorial.

Background of the Jailed Activists

Ranka and Das were remanded to Tihar Jail after being accused of violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar. They had previously signed agreements to maintain peace for a year following their detention the week prior. The march was organised in collaboration with Jagruta Karnataka, AISA Karnataka, and My Vote, My Right, highlighting the collective effort to support the jailed activists.

Despite the restrictions, the event aimed to draw attention to the circumstances surrounding Ranka and Das, as well as the broader implications for civil liberties in the region. The presence of police ensured that the march proceeded without any significant incidents, although the atmosphere was tense due to the imposed limitations.

As the march unfolded, participants expressed their determination to advocate for their cause while adhering to the legal constraints set by the authorities. The CJP’s efforts reflect ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of activists and the right to peaceful assembly in India.

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