CJP Leaders Detained Ahead of Protest Against Gyanesh Kumar
CJP leaders allege police misconduct as they prepare for a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
CJP leaders were detained by Delhi Police upon arrival for a planned protest.
They demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
CJP claims the government is suppressing dissent and creating an emergency-like situation.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, were detained by Delhi Police on Saturday as they arrived in the capital for a scheduled protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. The protest aimed to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who has been accused of electoral misconduct. The police reportedly seized their phones without proper documentation and denied them access to legal counsel during their detention.
The CJP leaders were apprehended immediately after landing in Delhi, alongside Ratna Singh, the head of their legal team. They were released on Sunday morning under conditions that they would not engage in any activities that could disturb public peace for a year. Das expressed his concerns regarding the government's protection of Gyanesh Kumar, questioning the motives behind it and suggesting that Kumar might have knowledge that could affect the upcoming 2024 elections.
During a press conference, Das criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of being responsible for the unrest. He stated that the CJP had not engaged in any actions that would disrupt peace, asserting that the real disturbance was caused by the government’s actions. He emphasized the party's commitment to continue their protests, urging citizens to join them in voicing their concerns.
The CJP described the current situation in Delhi as reminiscent of an emergency, citing the heavy police presence and the closure of over 50 metro stations as tactics to stifle dissent. Das claimed that around 40,000 security personnel were deployed to prevent the protest, alleging that these measures were intended to portray the movement negatively. He raised alarms about the police's extended possession of their phones, fearing potential hacking or evidence tampering.
In light of these events, Ranka criticized the government for its handling of the situation, particularly regarding the insensitivity shown to CJP member Abhijit Dipke, who was informed of his grandmother's death in a manner that he found disrespectful. Ranka condemned the government's approach to protests, stating that it had escalated tensions unnecessarily. Furthermore, Saurav highlighted the harassment of independent journalists covering the protests, indicating a broader conflict between the government and the media.
