CJP leaders Saurav Das, Abhijeet Dipke and Ashutosh Ranka claim they could face arrest ahead of the October 10 Jantar Mantar protest over SIR and demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The CJP October 10 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar is set to go ahead despite claims by the outfit’s leaders that authorities may arrest them before the demonstration.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das alleged that he, party founder Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and other leaders could face arrest ahead of the planned protest.
The CJP has called the demonstration to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumarover the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Saurav Das Claims Leaders Could Be Arrested
In a late-night social media post, Das alleged that the government was planning to arrest several CJP leaders.
He argued that such action would not stop the planned mobilisation and urged supporters to continue the protest even if key leaders were detained.
Das also called on young people to participate in the October 10 demonstration and said the movement should continue regardless of whether its leaders remained free.
These are allegations made by CJP leaders, and there was no independent confirmation in the information provided that authorities had planned such arrests.
Abhijeet Dipke Challenges Arrest Threat
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also responded to the alleged arrest plans.
Addressing Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Dipke questioned how many protesters the government could arrest before the October 10 demonstration.
He claimed that possible action under laws including the UAPA and NSA, or the prospect of prolonged imprisonment, would not deter the organisation from protesting.
Dipke said CJP members were prepared to face imprisonment while continuing what he described as a peaceful and non-violent campaign.
Ashutosh Ranka Makes Similar Claim
CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka also alleged that several sources had warned him that he, Dipke and Das could be arrested before October 10.
Ranka said the three leaders had been prepared for possible arrest since June 6 and claimed they were not afraid of going to jail.
He described the CJP leadership as a group of young people campaigning for what they said would be a more accountable India.
CJP’s Mumbai Protest Over SIR
The latest claims come shortly after the CJP held a protest in Mumbai over the SIR exercise.
The demonstration at Shivaji Park called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral-roll revision process. The protest received support from the Shiv Sena (UBT).
The dispute followed a report by The Indian Express claiming that two Election Commissioners had raised objections to aspects of the SIR process multiple times. The Election Commission rejected the report’s interpretation and said differences of opinion and comments were part of internal discussions, while decisions were ultimately unanimous.
CJP Has Faced Earlier Detentions
CJP leaders have previously faced police action during protests and political programmes.
Last month, several CJP leaders, including Ranka, were detained by Assam Police for around 12 hours ahead of the organisation’s regional volunteers’ meeting.
The outfit had also organised a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20 over the NEET paper-leak controversy, during which police detained several demonstrators.
The organisation now plans to return to Jantar Mantar on October 10, with its leaders calling for a larger mobilisation over the SIR issue.
5 Key Takeaways
The CJP recently held a Mumbai protest over SIR and has faced earlier detentions.
CJP plans a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 over the SIR exercise.
Saurav Das claimed CJP leaders could be arrested before the demonstration.
Abhijeet Dipke said possible action under UAPA or NSA would not stop the protest.
Ashutosh Ranka also claimed he received warnings about a possible arrest.
