Two CJP Leaders Sent to Judicial Custody; Dipke Accuses Govt of Imposing ‘Unofficial Emergency’

Nagpur, Oct. 14: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of imposing an “unofficial emergency” after two party leaders were remanded to five days of judicial custody for allegedly trespassing into a restricted protest area at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Addressing reporters in Nagpur, Dipke questioned the grounds for sending CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to Tihar Jail, asking what offence they had committed by waving the national flag at the protest site.

The two leaders were detained early Tuesday after allegedly crossing barricades and entering the Jantar Mantar area without authorisation. They were reportedly raising slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

According to police sources, Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday for allegedly violating their peace bonds and trespassing into an area that had been denotified as a designated protest site.

Reacting to their detention, Dipke accused the government of restricting democratic expression and challenged the prime minister to declare an emergency formally if that was its intention.

He argued that keeping political activists in custody for raising slogans and displaying the national flag raised serious questions about the state of democratic freedoms in the country. Drawing a comparison with the Emergency imposed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, he claimed that the present situation was deeply concerning.

Dipke also criticised what he described as the government’s unwillingness to openly acknowledge restrictions on dissent, asserting that the detention of the two leaders reflected an attempt to discourage political opposition.

The CJP founder said his party would continue to raise questions about democratic rights and the functioning of constitutional institutions.

He further stated that the country’s political and public life should remain guided by the Constitution and the principles championed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Dipke announced that he would visit Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur on Wednesday to pay tribute to Ambedkar. The site holds historical significance as the place where Ambedkar embraced Buddhism alongside thousands of followers on October 14, 1956.

Referring to Ambedkar’s legacy, Dipke said the Constitution remained the foundation of India’s democratic system. He asserted that attempts to impose the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the country would not succeed, maintaining that Ambedkar’s principles would continue to guide the nation.

The CJP leader also clarified his party’s position on the opposition INDIA bloc’s campaign seeking the CEC’s resignation. He described the CJP as an independent pressure group that would maintain its separate identity while pursuing issues it considered important.

Dipke said the CJP’s independent status should not be interpreted as opposition to the INDIA bloc. He maintained that both movements were pursuing the same broader cause, despite operating separately.

The detention of Das and Ranka follows protests linked to demands for the resignation of the chief election commissioner. Their custody has prompted criticism from the CJP leadership, which has framed the action as a question of democratic rights and freedom of expression.

The allegations made by Dipke represent the party’s position on the matter. The police allegations against the two leaders concern unauthorised entry into the area and alleged violations of peace bonds.

The episode has brought renewed attention to the regulation of protests at designated sites in the national capital and the balance between maintaining public order and protecting the right to peaceful political expression.