Cockroach Janata Party leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on Wednesday for violating a peace bond and entering Jantar Mantar without authorization. Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced a nationwide tricolor march on October 16th. He has also appealed to people to gather at Central Park in Connaught Place, Delhi, at 5 p.m. on October 16th and wave the tricolor.
Posting a video on the social media platform X on Wednesday evening, Abhijeet Dipke said, “Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been jailed for waving the tricolor.”
Dipke said, “I request everyone to come to Central Park in Connaught Place with the tricolor at 5 p.m. on October 16th.” We will hoist the tricolor there and show that waving it is not a crime.’ The CJP founder appealed to the people, saying, “Those who cannot come to Delhi should organize a tricolor march in their cities in the evening and tell these dictators that our tricolor is our pride and waving it is not a crime.”
Abhijit Dipke expressed apprehension that he too might be jailed after hoisting the tricolor on October 16.
CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde were taken into preventive custody for entering Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar has been removed from its notified status as a protest site. A case has been registered against them on charges of unauthorized entry, violation of bond conditions, and obstruction of government officials from discharging their duties. They were produced before a magistrate at Mandir Marg in New Delhi on Wednesday morning.
Previously, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, along with Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were released after posting a 50,000 rupee bond in connection with the October 10 protest. At that time, they were released on the condition that they would not be involved in any cases related to breach of peace for a year.
This time, Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been charged with trespassing and violating the terms of their bond. Authorities are viewing them as repeat offenders.
The CJP leaders were on their way to protest against the Election Commission of India over alleged irregularities in the scrutiny of voter lists under the SIR. During this protest, they were seen shouting slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and attempting to cross police barricades.