CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Condemns Detention of Activists Carrying Tricolour at Jantar Mantar

Mumbai, Oct 13 : Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday condemned the reported detention of party activists Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ajinkya Shinde by Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, questioning whether displaying the national flag could be considered an offence.

According to reports, the activists were detained early Tuesday after allegedly breaching a security cordon and entering Jantar Mantar, where they assembled and began demonstrating while carrying the Indian Tricolour. The incident occurred a day after authorities reportedly withdrew the venue's designation as an authorised site for protests.

Speaking to reporters in Hingoli, Dipke questioned the police action and asked how waving the national flag in one's own country could be treated as a violation of the law. He demanded strict action against those responsible for detaining the party members, alleging that they had been taken into custody merely for carrying the Tricolour.

Describing the incident as a reflection of what he termed a dictatorial mindset, Dipke maintained that displaying the national flag was an expression of national identity and should not be treated as unlawful conduct.

Dipke also addressed the issue in a post on social media platform X, stating that CJP activists had entered Jantar Mantar with the national flag early in the morning before being detained by Delhi Police.

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dipke asserted that resistance could not be eliminated simply by withdrawing the official designation of a protest venue. He criticised the reported decision to discontinue Jantar Mantar's status as a designated location for public demonstrations.

The controversy follows reported changes to protest arrangements in the national capital. Following the withdrawal of Jantar Mantar's designation as an authorised protest site, three alternative locations—Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground—were reportedly identified for demonstrations.

The detentions have drawn criticism from the CJP leadership, with Dipke arguing that the activists were exercising their right to display the national flag. However, reports said the police action was linked to the group's alleged breach of the security cordon and entry into Jantar Mantar following the change in the venue's protest status.