NEW DELHI, Oct. 13 -- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday condemned the detention of his colleagues at Jantar Mantar, declaring that anyone who considered hoisting the national flag at the protest site a violation of law was a "traitor".
His remarks came after Delhi Police detained CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde, along with other activists, who entered Jantar Mantar early on Tuesday despite the authorities removing its status as a designated protest venue. Dipke questioned the police action, arguing that carrying and hoisting the Tricolour could not be treated as an offence. He also accused the government of attempting to suppress demonstrations by restricting access to the site, which has historically been associated with public protests in the national capital.
Speaking to reporters, Dipke said his colleagues had entered Jantar Mantar carrying the national flag and questioned why they had been taken into custody. "When did hoisting the tricolor become a violation? Whoever thinks that hoisting the tricolor at Jantar Mantar is a violation is a traitor," he said. He demanded that the authorities explain the legal grounds for detaining the activists and warned against initiating criminal proceedings merely for displaying the national flag. The CJP founder also expressed concern over whether the detained activists would be allowed to consult their lawyers. Recalling his own earlier detention, Dipke alleged that he had been denied access to legal counsel for 24 hours. He said his colleagues should not face similar restrictions and insisted that the authorities follow established legal procedures.
The confrontation began early on Tuesday when a group of CJP activists entered Jantar Mantar despite barricades and police restrictions. Videos shared by the organisation showed protesters climbing over a gate and barricades, waving the national flag and raising slogans before police personnel detained them. Dipke subsequently posted on social media that Das, Ranka, Shinde and other members had been taken into custody. The CJP founder declared that administrative restrictions could not eliminate the spirit of public resistance. Ranka also posted a message opposing restrictions on access to Jantar Mantar, while Das said the activists had succeeded in entering the site despite the security arrangements. According to reports, police personnel arrived shortly after the demonstration began and removed the protesters from the venue. The detentions followed Delhi Police's decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues. The authorities have identified Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in Shahdara as alternative locations for demonstrations.
According to the police, the decision followed recommendations made by a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to examine alternative protest sites in the capital. CJP leaders have opposed the move, arguing that shifting demonstrations away from Jantar Mantar would weaken the visibility of protests and restrict citizens' ability to express dissent near institutions of power. Dipke accused the government of treating public spaces as its private property and maintained that Jantar Mantar belonged to the people of India. He described the police action as reflecting a dictatorial attitude, an allegation directed at the government that remains his political characterisation rather than an established finding.
Dipke said the organisation would continue its agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whose resignation has been a central demand of the ongoing protests. He maintained that the movement would not end merely because the authorities had withdrawn permission to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar. The protests are linked to allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which opposition parties and CJP activists have challenged. The Election Commission has rejected allegations of bias in the revision process. The controversy has widened into a dispute over the regulation of peaceful assembly and the use of public spaces for demonstrations. With Delhi Police maintaining restrictions at Jantar Mantar and CJP activists signalling further protests, the confrontation over access to the site is expected to remain a focus of the ongoing agitation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.