NEW DELHI, Oct. 12 -- The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday gave Delhi Police 24 hours to provide a date for holding a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar, warning that it would announce a fresh protest if the authorities failed to respond within the deadline. The ultimatum came amid heightened security restrictions in the national capital following protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka, who approached Parliament Street police station along with other representatives of the organisation, questioned why protesters were being prevented from assembling at Jantar Mantar, a designated site for demonstrations. The organisation maintained that it wanted to follow the prescribed procedure and secure permission for a peaceful gathering rather than face further restrictions and detentions.

CJP seeks protest date

"Jantar Mantar is the designated protest site and we are here to seek dates on which we can carry out our protest," Ranka told police personnel at the station.

He asked the authorities to clarify when and how the organisation could exercise its right to demonstrate. "Where should I carry out our protest? They should tell us in the next 24 hours how we can proceed with the protest. Otherwise, we will give our next call," he said.

Ranka had announced on Sunday that he, fellow co-convener Saurav Das, legal head Ratna Singh and other CJP leaders would approach the police on Monday morning to seek permission. The organisation has maintained that its proposed agitation would be peaceful and focused on its demand for Kumar's resignation and the suspension of the electoral roll revision exercise.

Earlier permission denied

The fresh request follows Delhi Police's refusal to permit the CJP's October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Police had cited inadequate advance notice, alleged violations of conditions during previous protests and concerns relating to public order, traffic and security.

According to police, organisers were required to submit their application at least 10 days before the proposed demonstration. The CJP has disputed the restrictions, arguing that the authorities should facilitate peaceful assembly rather than prevent protesters from reaching the designated venue.

The confrontation intensified over the weekend after police detained several demonstrators and senior CJP leaders. Founder Abhijeet Dipke, Ranka and Das were detained at Delhi airport on Saturday after arriving from Mumbai. The three were subsequently released on Sunday after being produced before an executive magistrate.

The leaders alleged that they had been detained without adequate explanation and denied access to legal assistance. Police have defended their preventive measures as necessary to maintain public order.

Protests over electoral rolls

The CJP's agitation centres on allegations of irregularities in the SIR exercise and demands for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Protest organisers have claimed that the revision process could result in the wrongful exclusion of eligible voters, raising questions about electoral transparency and accountability.

The Election Commission has maintained that electoral roll revision is intended to improve the accuracy of voter lists. Allegations of deliberate electoral manipulation remain contested.

The latest ultimatum coincided with preparations by INDIA bloc parties for a separate march towards the Supreme Court on Monday over similar concerns. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition figures have demanded greater scrutiny of the electoral roll revision process.

Restrictions under scrutiny

The demonstrations have also brought the scope of preventive policing and restrictions on public assembly into focus. The Supreme Court intervened on Sunday amid concerns over detentions and disruptions to public movement, directing authorities to ensure that restrictions and police action remained consistent with legal safeguards.

The CJP has argued that preventing access to Jantar Mantar while declining permission for demonstrations leaves protesters without a practical venue to express their grievances. As of Monday, there was no confirmed date for the organisation's proposed demonstration. Ranka said the CJP would decide its next course of action if Delhi Police failed to provide a response within 24 hours, raising the possibility of another round of protests in the capital.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.