Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 16: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday alleged that vehicles without number plates were following him and Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel were monitoring his residence. He claimed that Delhi Police could detain him ahead of the party's planned Tiranga march on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Dipke said he was ready to go to jail for waving the national flag and challenged the authorities to treat the act as a crime.
He said the party would peacefully organise the flag-waving event, asserting that citizens should not face punishment for displaying the national flag.
The CJP has called on its supporters and members of the public to assemble at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday to wave the Tiranga. The march is part of the party's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced on Thursday that Central Park would remain closed on October 16 and 17, coinciding with the planned protest.
Questioning the decision, Dipke asked whether authorities would shut down multiple locations if the party decided to organise similar flag-waving events elsewhere. He also questioned whether political rallies would be cancelled if people planned to wave the national flag at such gatherings.
Dipke further alleged that IB personnel were seeking information from the watchman outside his residence and claimed that Delhi Police could detain him on Thursday night or Friday morning. He said such actions would not deter the party from proceeding with its plans.
Referring to the arrests of CJP colleagues Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, Dipke alleged that people were being jailed for waving the national flag. He also questioned the government's position on the Tiranga.
The CJP founder said the party was demanding the removal of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner and his replacement through an independent and impartial process. He clarified that the demand was not aimed at changing the government.
Dipke also alleged that Kumar was not listening to the other Election Commissioners and questioned whether seeking his removal constituted a crime.
He described the situation as an emergency, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was reluctant to declare one because it could damage his image.