The founder of the Cockroach Janta Party has called for a gathering with the national flag at Delhi’s Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16, days after two party co-convenors were sent to judicial custody over alleged violations linked to a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Abhijeet Dipke said on X on October 14 that people should assemble at 5 p.m. with the tricolour to show that waving the national flag is not a crime. He also urged those unable to travel to Delhi to organise “tiranga marches” in their own cities. Mr. Dipke said he was prepared for the possibility of being jailed after issuing the call.
The proposed gathering follows the detention of CJP members who had raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar while holding the national flag. The members were taken away by police personnel on October 13. The CJP said the group had “reclaimed” Jantar Mantar and its right to protest.
According to the report, co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on October 14 and lodged in Tihar Jail. Police said the action followed allegations that the two had violated their peace bonds and trespassed into Jantar Mantar, which has been de-notified as a protest area. Police also cited apprehension that they could repeat the alleged violations or encourage others to do so if released.
Two first information reports have been registered against 14 CJP members over allegations including trespass, disobedience of official orders and obstruction of police personnel on duty. Ajinkya Shinde, who was also placed under preventive arrest, was released after furnishing a personal bond and surety of ₹5,000. He gave an undertaking to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months, according to a police statement.
The dispute places two competing claims over Delhi’s public spaces in direct focus: the right to assemble and protest, and the administration’s regulation of locations designated for public demonstrations. The police account links the custody decision to alleged breaches of those restrictions, while the CJP has described the action as punishment for unfurling the national flag.
The latest call also follows an earlier episode involving the party’s office-bearers. Mr. Dipke, Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka were released on October 11, nearly 24 hours after being detained at Indira Gandhi International Airport on October 10, the day the CJP had called for an anti-CEC protest at Jantar Mantar. The CJP office-bearers said their release was subject to a condition that they would not engage in activity breaching peace and tranquillity for one year.
Mr. Dipke returned to Delhi on October 14 after travelling back to his village earlier in the week following his grandmother’s death. The Central Park gathering is scheduled for 5 p.m. on October 16. The police position on permissions or arrangements for the proposed event was not provided in the supplied report.
