CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke called on citizens to gather with the national flag at Central Park in Delhi’s Connaught Place on October 16th
New Delhi: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday called on citizens to gather with the national flag at Central Park in Delhi’s Connaught Place on Friday, October 16 at 5 pm. His proposed gathering at Central Park is scheduled for 5 pm on Friday. As of Wednesday evening, permission for the proposed demonstration had not been confirmed.
CJP Co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody for allegedly entering Jantar Mantar which has been denotified as an authorized protest venue.
Alleging that the two leaders had been jailed only for unfurling the tri-colour. Dipke urged supporters unable to reach Delhi to organize simultaneous Tiranga Marches in their respective cities.
Dipke said in a twitter x post said that we will show that waving a tiranga is not a crime. He also expressed apprehension that he could be jailed following the call.
The arrests have drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including Leader of the LoP Rahul Gandhi, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, DMK Chief MK Stalin and former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Delhi Police, however, said the action followed alleged violations of peace bonds and concerns over public order.
The latest action stems from an incident on Tuesday, October 13th, when Das, Ranka and their associate Ajinkya Shinde were among 14 CJP members who allegedly entered the Jantar Mantar premises after crossing security barricades.
The protesters raised slogans against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s SIR of electoral rolls.
Police said the group entered the premises without authorization and obstructed personnel from discharging their duties. Jantar Mantar had been denotified as an authorized protest site on Monday, October 12th.The CJP, however, said its members had reclaimed Jantar Mantar and their right to protest, maintaining that the national flag was central to their demonstration.
Das, Ranka and Shinde were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate on Wednesday morning. Proceedings were initiated under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS. The magistrate remanded Das and Ranka to five days of judicial custody in Tihar Jail. Shinde was released on a personal bond of Rs 5,000 and bound down to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months.
Police said two FIRs had been registered in connection with the incident. One, at Connaught Place police station, includes provisions relating to house trespass, criminal conspiracy and disobedience of an order promulgated by a public servant. The second, at Parliament Street police station, includes provisions relating to obstructing public servants, assault or criminal force against public servants, and common intention.
A joint march organised by the SFI and the DYFI from Firozeshah Road towards Jantar Mantar was stopped by police on Wednesday. Opposition parties have alleged that the SIR exercise could lead to the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. The Election Commission has denied political bias in the revision process.