Opposition leaders condemn arrest of CJP activists over Jantar Mantar tricolour protest

The arrest of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka has sparked strong reactions from opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal. The leaders condemned the arrests and questioned the police action against the activists who were protesting at Jantar Mantar while carrying the national flag.Das and Ranka were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly violating their peace bonds and entering Jantar Mantar after it was denotified as a protest site. The activists had raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar before police personnel took them away. The arrests have brought the right to peaceful protest into focus, with opposition parties questioning whether carrying the tricolour at a protest should invite police action.Rahul Gandhi Backs CJP ActivistsLeader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the arrests on Wednesday, saying that waving the tricolour during a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar was not a crime.“Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice. Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights,” Gandhi said.“Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it,” he added.Gandhi's remarks were significant as the Congress and CJP have been holding separate protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue. His statement highlighted the common concerns raised by the two groups despite their separate movements.Dipke Says Fight Is For Same CauseResponding to Gandhi's post, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked him for speaking out against the arrests of Das and Ranka.Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Dipke clarified that the CJP was not against the INDIA bloc and that both were fighting for the same cause.“All protests are fighting for the same cause... Gyanesh Kumar is rigging elections and helping Narendra Modi stay in power. We are all fighting against that,” Dipke alleged, PTI reports.“CJP is an independent pressure group and will always remain that, but it does not mean we are against the INDIA bloc. INDIA bloc's movement and ours are for the same cause,” he said.Dipke maintained that the two activists had been jailed “only for unfurling the tricolour”.He also called on people to gather at Central Park in Connaught Place, Delhi, at 5 pm on October 16 with the national flag.“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,” he wrote on X.Earlier, on Tuesday, Dipke had warned against attempts to create divisions between the CJP and opposition parties over the different treatment of their protests.Mamata, Kejriwal Question ArrestsTrinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee condemned the arrests and urged people to stand together to protect democracy. She said generations had fought for democratic rights and that people must remain united to safeguard them.“I strongly condemn the arrest of Ashutosh and Saurav of the CJP. These moments are about us all, pledging and standing up to fight unitedly to protect our great democracy,” she wrote on X.We, and many generations before us, have fought strongly for our democratic rights. We must continue to do so. I strongly condemn the arrest of Ashutosh and Saurav of the CJP. These moments are about us all, pledging and standing up to fight unitedly to protect our great democracy. This is an attempt to intimidate and silence an entire generation. This is unacceptable. We must never surrender our constitutional rights. This murdering of democracy is happening in many parts of the country. At this moment, 14,000 of our people in Bengal are facing the brunt of police and political atrocities. A government that has forgotten that ‘it is of the people, by the people, for the people’ is nearing its end. To the millions of young people I say: Your Didi is with you - today and forever! Let us stand together and save our Mother India.Jai Hind!Vande Mataram! Joy Bangla!— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 14, 2026She also assured young people that “your Didi is with you - today and forever”.Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee criticised the police action, describing the situation as “BJP's new Pakistanified Bharat”. Party colleague Derek O'Brien also condemned the arrests.Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal questioned whether waving the national flag could be considered a crime.“Is waving our own flag in our own country a crime? This is absolutely ridiculous,” Kejriwal wrote on X.Is waving our own flag in our own country a crime? This is absolutely ridiculous— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 14, 2026Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray also questioned the arrests, asking when holding the national flag by young Indians had become a crime. He said the struggle between the current regime and “patriotic young Indians” would continue until democracy was reclaimed.The criticism extended beyond the INDIA bloc, with leaders of the AAP and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which have distanced themselves from the alliance, also expressing support for the activists.Left Parties Demand Immediate ReleaseCommunist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the right to protest should not be restricted to a designated location.“The flag belongs to the people, not those in power,” he said.Vijayan called for a united effort to reclaim Jantar Mantar as a protest site. He also demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign and face prosecution.The CPI(M) separately condemned the arrests on X and demanded the immediate release of the activists. The party questioned whether defending the right to vote had become a crime under the government.Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D Raja described the arrests as undemocratic and demanded the release of Das and Ranka.“Since when did protesting against an undemocratic order become a crime?” he asked on X.Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said the activists had entered Jantar Mantar as part of a symbolic protest against the Union Home Ministry's decision to remove its status as a designated protest site.“Jantar Mantar belongs to the people and the whole world knows it as Delhi's most common protest site,” he said.Bhattacharya alleged that the government was afraid of protests and showed disregard for the Constitution.Stalin Offers Legal Support, Other Leaders ReactDMK chief M K Stalin expressed solidarity with Das and Ranka and said his party was prepared to provide them with all necessary legal representation and support.Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha questioned the grounds on which the activists had been arrested.“What is the charge? That he made it to Jantar Mantar? This is an unbelievable government, honestly. It is deeply unfortunate,” Jha told PTI.He maintained that the right to protest belonged to the people.Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule also condemned the arrests.Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K T Rama Rao, whose party is not part of the INDIA bloc, criticised the five-day judicial custody given to the activists, calling it a “new level of Emergency”.“If there is one group of people really fighting for this country's future, it is the youth, the Gen Z of this nation. To imprison them because they are trying to clean up the system reeks of insecurity,” he said.44 Harvard Scholars Express Concern Over Campaign Against India's Constitutional InstitutionsRama Rao also stressed that India's freedom had been achieved through protests and movements, and that their importance should not be forgotten.CJP Leaders Sent To Tihar JailAccording to the Delhi Police, Das and Ranka were produced before a special executive magistrate on Wednesday and remanded in judicial custody for five days. They were subsequently lodged in Tihar Jail.Police said the two had allegedly violated their peace bonds and entered Jantar Mantar despite the area no longer being designated for protests.Their associate Ajinkya Shinde was bound down to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months. He was released on a personal bond and a surety of ₹5,000.The arrests have drawn criticism from several political parties, bringing together leaders who have otherwise held separate protests or maintained different political positions. Their reactions have placed the focus on the right to peaceful protest, the use of public spaces for demonstrations and the police action against the CJP activists.

Abhijeet Dipke called for the gathering in Connaught Place at 5 p.m.; CJP call comes after Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody for allegedly violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke has announced a 'Lehra Do Tiranga' rally at Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi, on October 16 at 5 PM, urging people across the country to organise similar marches in their respective cities.In a video message, Dipke appealed to people who love the national flag to join the rally and wave the Tricolour, asserting that displaying it should not be treated as a crime."Hello everyone, as you all know, Sourav and Ashu have been put in jail for waving the Tiranga. So, I request all the patriots, all the people who love the Tiranga, On 16th October, at 5 pm, all of you come to Central Park, Cannot Place, with the Tiranga. We will wave our Tiranga there, and we will tell that waving a Tiranga is not a crime," Dipke said.Lehra do Tiranga 16 Oct | Central Park, CP | 5 PM pic.twitter.com/eFO1RfUBos— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 14, 2026 CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke Heckled At Delhi Airport, Called 'CIA agent' Aid Jantar Mantar Protest Row - VIDEOHe also urged people unable to travel to Delhi to organise Tiranga marches in their own cities in the evening."And those who cannot come to Delhi, in their own cities, in the evening, take out the Tiranga March and tell these people, these Tana Shahs, that our Tiranga is our pride and waving it is not a crime," he added.Dipke further said he was prepared for the possibility of being arrested following the rally, but maintained that he would continue to wave the national flag."It is possible that after this, I will also be put in jail, but I am not worried about that. My Tiranga is my pride and I will keep waving it," he said.Jantar Mantar Protest Row Deepens As Delhi Police Registers FIR Against Journalist Over ACP's ComplaintNetizen Questions Rally Call, Criticises DipkeDipke's announcement drew criticism on social media, with an X user questioning the purpose of holding a rally at Connaught Place, where a large Tricolour is already displayed."Abhijeet Dipke is once again calling people to gather at Connaught Place on October 16 at 5 PM to hoist the Tricolour. Does this clown even know that a massive Tricolour has already been flying at CP for years? What exactly is he trying to prove with this pointless drama? Looks like he is desperately missing his buddies Ranka and Das and wants to join them behind bars. Delhi Police, if this man is so desperate to get arrested, stop entertaining his drama and let him face the consequences. Let him experience jail life too!" wrote Amit Kumar Sindhi on X.

CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were arrested and sent to judicial custody for five days. Abhijeet Dipke, the party founder, called for a Tricolour march at Connaught Place in Delhi. He urged supporters to gather with national flags in response to the arrests. The arrests occurred after the leaders protested at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was heckled by a group of people at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday after returning to the national capital from his hometown.As Dipke exited the airport, a man allegedly called him a “CIA agent”, while another confronted him, asking, “Kyun desh ko kharab kar raha hai?” (Why are you ruining the country?).Watch | CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke booed at an airport.The guy who said "kyun desh kharab kar raha hai" spoke for majority of INDIANS who are literally sick and tired of useless protests every now and then! pic.twitter.com/kCAEeIggPj— Yash Rawat (@india_expert) October 14, 2026 Protest at Jantar MantarDipke’s arrival came a day after CJP co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka entered the restricted area at Jantar Mantar by climbing over a gate to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the government. The protest took place after Jantar Mantar was denotified as a designated protest site.Earlier on Wednesday, Dipke criticised the Narendra Modi government over the arrest of the two party members, who were sent to five days of judicial custody.Dipke questions activists' arrest“Is unfurling the Tricolour in this country a crime? Ashutosh and Saurav have been sent to jail for five days. Why? Because they went to Jantar Mantar and unfurled the Tricolour,” he said, drawing a parallel with the British colonial era, when freedom fighters were arrested for displaying the national flag.Before leaving Nagpur for Delhi, Dipke had accused the government of imposing an “unofficial emergency”, alleging that the activists were detained for waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar. He also claimed that the detained members had initially been denied access to their lawyers.VIDEO | Napur, Maharashtra: CJP founder Abhijit Dipke reacts Saurav Das and others being sent to 5-day judicial custody, says, "I want to tell Narendra Modi that if you want to impose an emergency in the country, do it officially. Why are you running an unofficial emergency where… pic.twitter.com/Y0Ga2Kd7LT— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 14, 2026 CJP clarifies its political positionDipke further said the CJP’s campaign against Gyanesh Kumar was aligned with the INDIA bloc’s opposition to the Chief Election Commissioner. However, he clarified that the CJP was an independent pressure group and would retain its separate identity.The party has accused Kumar of helping the BJP-led government remain in power by manipulating elections. These allegations have not been independently established.

CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been remanded to judicial custody following their breach of barricades at Jantar Mantar. They were reportedly protesting the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar while waving the Tricolour. The Delhi Police have reallocated protest locations, effectively closing Jantar Mantar as a venue for dissent.

Drawing a comparison with the INDIA bloc's protest on Monday, Dipke pointed out that the opposition demonstration did not face the kind of crackdown witnessed during the CJP protest on October 10.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief Abhijeet Dipke has urged Opposition parties and protesters to remain united in their fight against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that differences in the treatment of demonstrations are being used to create suspicion and mistrust among those opposing the government.In a post on his official account on X, Dipke compared the police response to the CJP-led protest on October 10 with the INDIA bloc's march to the Supreme Court of India on October 12. He argued that the contrasting responses should not become a reason for Opposition supporters to suspect one another.When CJP was granted permission to protest, many were quick to float conspiracy theories that we were planted by the BJP.Yesterday, the INDIA bloc held a massive protest, but there was no crackdown like the one we witnessed on October 10.This is exactly how the govt plays us…— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 13, 2026 Rahul Gandhi Elbows Protester, Pulls Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar By Collar During March To SC | Videos "When CJP was granted permission to protest, many were quick to float conspiracy theories that we were planted by the BJP. Yesterday, the INDIA bloc held a massive protest, but there was no crackdown like the one we witnessed on October 10. This is exactly how the govt plays us against each other. By treating different protests differently, they create suspicion and mistrust among people who are ultimately fighting for the same cause.""My only request to everyone is to see through these tactics. Today, they may allow one protest and crush another. Tomorrow, they could reverse the roles. The idea is to keep us doubting each other instead of questioning those in power. Don’t let conspiracy theories divide us. Don’t fall into the trap of fighting among ourselves when we should be standing together. The fight is against Gyanesh Kumar and those protecting him. Don’t lose sight of that," Dipke wrote. Dipke recalls detention of CJP leaders, October 10 crackdownDipke also highlighted the detention of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with his own detention on October 10, when they were detained directly from a flight. The detentions and police action against protesters drew criticism from the CJP and its supporters, who accused the Delhi Police and the Modi government of suppressing dissent.Kerala Congress Demands CJI Surya Kant's Resignation Over 'Law & Order' Remark, Says 'We Will Find Your Replacement' The CJP and its supporters described the crackdown as an "undeclared Emergency", alleging that the action restricted democratic rights and freedom of expression.By comparing the October 10 crackdown with the INDIA bloc's October 12 march, Dipke sought to challenge conspiracy theories about the CJP's political affiliations and called for solidarity among groups protesting against the Election Commission and the Centre.Dipke's remarks follow INDIA bloc's October 12 marchDipke's statement came after Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, joined the INDIA bloc leaders and party workers in a march towards the Supreme Court of India on October 12. 'Cannot Demand Right To Protest In Delhi And Deny It In Bengaluru': DK Shivakumar After Cops Detain Over 100 Protesters In BengaluruThe protest targeted the Election Commission of India (ECI), CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the Centre over several issues, including alleged vote theft, Form 6, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the police action against protesters on October 10.The CJP chief highlighted the absence of a comparable crackdown during the October 12 march, arguing that differences in how demonstrations are handled could fuel distrust among groups raising concerns about the same issues.