Abhijit Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has accused the Union government of fostering suspicion and mistrust among various groups protesting against the Election Commission of India. He claimed that the government is handling demonstrations in a manner that creates division among protesters. Dipke urged the public to resist falling for conspiracy theories and to maintain unity in their opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

In a statement shared on X, Dipke noted that when the CJP received permission to protest, several individuals suggested that the group had been co-opted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He highlighted the contrasting treatment of protests, particularly referencing the recent demonstration by the INDIA bloc on 13 October, which he claimed did not experience the same level of suppression as the CJP protest on 10 October.

Dipke asserted that the government’s differential treatment of protests is intentionally designed to create distrust among those advocating for similar causes. He emphasised that such tactics undermine the collective efforts of protesters and divert attention from the core issues at hand.

Recent Protests Against Chief Election Commissioner

On 13 October, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, led a significant march towards the Supreme Court, accompanied by Congress and other opposition leaders. This demonstration, attended by thousands, commenced from Mandi House and concluded around 6 PM. The protest aimed to address concerns regarding the Special Interest Registration (SIR) exercise and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar due to alleged irregularities in the voters’ roll revision.

The protests were sparked by a recent report from the Indian Express, which claimed that Kumar had made unilateral decisions regarding the SIR, despite objections from two Election Commissioners. This report has heightened tensions surrounding the integrity of the electoral process.

Dipke cautioned that the authorities might allow one protest while suppressing another, potentially reversing their approach at a later stage. He warned that such discrepancies could fuel conspiracy theories, thereby distracting from the genuine concerns raised by the protesters. He urged individuals to remain vigilant against these tactics.

Security Measures and Government Response

In stark contrast to the INDIA bloc’s march on 13 October, the CJP’s planned mass mobilisation at Jantar Mantar on 10 October faced an unprecedented security clampdown. Over 7,000 protesters, including Dipke, four former chief ministers, and prominent YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, were detained as the government sought to prevent the demonstration. Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, remained largely empty throughout the day due to the deployment of more than 30,000 security personnel and extensive barricading in Lutyens’ Delhi.

Dipke reiterated his message, urging protesters not to let conspiracy theories drive a wedge between them. He emphasised the importance of unity in their fight against Gyanesh Kumar and those he believes are protecting him. He stated, “The fight is against Gyanesh Kumar and those protecting him. Don’t lose sight of that.”

As tensions continue to rise, the ongoing protests reflect a significant moment in Indian politics, with various groups rallying against perceived injustices within the electoral system. The actions of both the government and the protesters will likely shape the political landscape in the coming weeks.

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