CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Preventively Detained Ahead of ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ March in Delhi
Delhi Police on Friday preventively detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke at his residence, minutes before he was scheduled to lead a ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Central Park in Connaught Place. The detention was the second time in a week that the 31-year-old youth leader had been taken into custody amid protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police personnel had earlier visited Dipke’s place of stay in the Jhandewalan area and served him a notice under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The notice cited prohibitory orders in force around Connaught Place and the absence of permission from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for the proposed gathering. Officers warned that proceeding with the march without permission would violate the law.
During the interaction, a police official told Dipke, “Aap New Delhi nahi jaa sakte. Hum aapko detain kar rahe hain” (“You cannot go to New Delhi. We are detaining you”). Dipke, wearing a white T-shirt bearing an image of Mahatma Gandhi and a small national flag draped across his shoulders, questioned the action and asked what law he had broken. He also asserted that he could travel elsewhere even if access to New Delhi was restricted.
Police sources said Dipke was taken to a police station following the detention. A senior officer said the action was intended to maintain law and order and ensure smooth traffic movement in the busy commercial area. Heavy security arrangements, involving thousands of personnel, were put in place across central Delhi.
The planned march was partly prompted by the recent arrest of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The two were sent to five-day judicial custody after entering the Jantar Mantar premises on October 13 while waving the national flag, a day after the site was denotified as an authorised protest venue.
Dipke had also been detained on October 10, shortly after his flight from Mumbai landed in Delhi, ahead of a protest over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He and his colleagues were later released on conditions that included maintaining peace.
AISA chief Neha Bora, 29, was also detained near Mandi House while on her way to related protest activities. Several other activists associated with the youth-led movement reportedly faced similar preventive action over the weekend.
Police clarified that waving the national flag is not illegal, but holding an unauthorised assembly or march while prohibitory orders are in force can invite legal action. Authorities also reminded organisers that the national flag must be treated in accordance with the Flag Code.
The CJP has described the detentions as an attempt to suppress peaceful dissent. Dipke and his supporters continue to demand accountability from the Election Commission over concerns related to voter lists, while authorities maintain that restrictions are necessary for public order and traffic management.
As of Friday evening, the situation in Connaught Place remained under close watch, with police removing small groups of protesters who managed to reach the area.
Comments
Post a Comment