CJP calls for Delhi tricolour march after members jailed in trespass row

Abhijeet Dipke called for tricolour gatherings after two CJP members were remanded to Tihar Jail. The appeal casts their detention as a test of protest rights and national pride.

In Short

• Police alleged peace undertakings were violated during Jantar Mantar trespass
• Demonstrators raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at the site
• Jantar Mantar is no longer officially designated as a protest site

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday called on people to gather with the national flag at Central Park in Delhi’s Connaught Place on October 16, alleging that party members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had been jailed only for unfurling the tricolour.

Das and Ranka were sent to five days in judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail on Wednesday for allegedly violating undertakings to maintain peace and trespassing into Jantar Mantar, which is no longer designated as a protest site.

The two CJP members were holding the tricolour and raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar when police personnel took them away on Tuesday. The party said they had “reclaimed” Jantar Mantar and their right to protest.

“As you know, Saurav and Ashu have been jailed only for unfurling the tricolour. I urge all patriots who love the tricolour to come to Central Park, Connaught Place at 5 pm on October 16 with the national flag. We will show that waving a tiranga is not a crime,” Dipke said in a post on X.

He also urged those unable to travel to Delhi to organise marches in their cities. “Those who cannot come to Delhi, take out tiranga marches in your cities in the evening, and show that the tricolour is our pride,” he said.

Dipke expressed apprehension that he could also be jailed. “I also may be jailed after this, but I am not worried. Tricolour is my pride and I will raise it,” he added.

Police said their associate Ajinkya Shinde was directed to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months. He was released on a personal bond and a surety of Rs 5,000.

Das, Ranka and Shinde were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate on Wednesday morning. While Das and Ranka were sent to Tihar Jail for five days, Shinde was released on bond, as Dipke called for gatherings with the tricolour in Delhi and other cities.

- Ends
With PTI inputs