CJP Spokesperson Claims Government May Arrest Them Ahead of October 10 Protest
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das has alleged that the government is planning to arrest him and other party leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke and Ashutosh Ranka, ahead of the organisation’s proposed mega protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 10.
The CJP has called for the protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In a late-night post on Sunday, Das claimed that the government was considering arrests of several CJP leaders, including himself, Dipke, Ranka and Ratna. He said any attempt to suppress the protest through what he described as “dictatorial actions” would not succeed.
“The government is planning on arresting me, Abhijeet, Ashutosh, Ratna and other Cockroach Janta Party leaders. If the government thinks that such dictatorial actions will work, then they are mistaken,” Das said.
He appealed to supporters to continue their campaign regardless of whether the party’s leaders were present. Das also called for a large mobilisation beginning October 10, saying the younger generation had become increasingly active in the movement.
Dipke echoed Das’s allegations and directly criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on Monday. “How many people will you arrest, Amit Shah? The whole country is coming on October 10,” he said.
Dipke further claimed that possible prosecution under laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the National Security Act (NSA), or even prolonged imprisonment, would not deter the party from holding its protest.
He said the CJP was prepared to face imprisonment for months or years but would continue its campaign to “save democracy”. Dipke also maintained that the party would follow the principles of peaceful and non-violent resistance associated with Mahatma Gandhi.
Ranka, meanwhile, said the party’s leaders had been prepared to face arrest since June 6. “There is no fear about it,” he said, adding that the leaders were “30-year-olds fighting for a better, more accountable India”.
The CJP’s allegations come days after the group held a protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, where it demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR process. The protest received backing from the Shiv Sena (UBT).
The government has not, so far, publicly confirmed the CJP leaders’ allegations about planned arrests.