Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 14: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday described the jailing of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka as an “act of cowardice” and vowed to reclaim Jantar Mantar as a venue for public protests.
Reacting to the detention of the two leaders, Rahul said peaceful demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, including waving the Tricolour, should not be treated as a crime.
“Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice,” he said.
“Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights,” he added.
The Congress leader asserted that Jantar Mantar belonged to the people of India and said, “We will reclaim it.”
Das and Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody by a Delhi court on Wednesday, a day after they were detained for allegedly entering Jantar Mantar without permission while protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The two were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg, following which the court ordered their remand.
Ajinkya Shinde, who was also detained in connection with the incident, was released on bail after furnishing a bond of Rs 5,000. His release was subject to the condition that he refrain from participating in activities that could disrupt public order for one year.
Das, Ranka and Shinde were detained on October 13 after allegedly climbing over the locked gates of Jantar Mantar to stage a demonstration. The incident occurred a day after the site lost its status as a designated protest venue.
During the hearing, Delhi Police alleged that the accused had disturbed public order, violated the conditions stipulated in their bonds and formally called on people to participate in the protest. The police sought action against them, following which the court remanded Das and Ranka to judicial custody while granting Shinde bail under specified conditions.