NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Saurav Das on Monday claimed that party members had entered Jantar Mantar despite the venue being removed from Delhi’s list of designated protest sites, and said they were being detained by police.Announcing the development in a post on X, Das declared that the protest site had been “reclaimed” and urged young supporters to continue the campaign.“JANTAR MANTAR HAS BEEN RECLAIMED!WE HAVE ENTERED JANTAR MANTAR AND NOW WE ARE BEING DETAINED!But this is a message to all of us young gen! We can do it! Gyanu, you’re done bro!” Das posted.CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed that Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and other party members had been detained. He shared the claim on social media.
CJP claims entry to Jantar Mantar despite protest-site status being withdrawn
The claim comes a day after Delhi Police removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues, ending its long-standing status as a site for demonstrations in the capital.The decision followed a review of alternative protest locations by a committee constituted by the Union home ministry. Police have designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as alternative venues for protests.
CJP had given Delhi Police 24-hour ultimatum over protest date
Earlier on Monday, CJP activists visited Parliament Street police station and asked Delhi Police to specify a date and time for their proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar, giving the force 24 hours to respond.Das had said the party was willing to let the police choose the date and time, arguing that the authorities could no longer cite the requirement to apply 10 days in advance as a reason for delaying the protest.The CJP has been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Its earlier attempt to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10 was thwarted by a major security operation, during which party leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were detained.(With agency inputs)
