CJP Protests: Delhi Police bars Abhijeet Dipke from holding Tiranga rally in CP, serves notice

Delhi Police personnel visited the residence where Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke is staying in the national capital and served him a notice warning of legal action if he proceeds with a proposed protest march in Connaught Place, officials told news agency PTI, as authorities tightened security in central Delhi ahead of the youth-led outfit's planned demonstration on Friday.

The notice stated that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force in and around Connaught Place. It also said the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had not granted permission for the proposed Tiranga Yatra and warned that proceeding with the march or gathering a crowd would invite legal action.

Also read: Tricolour, barricades and a 5 pm call: Delhi braces for a CJP rally in another national capital showdown


Dipke was informed that waving the national flag was not against the law, but holding an unpermitted march and assembling a crowd would violate the restrictions, according to ANI. He was also reminded of the requirement to treat the Tricolour with due respect under the Flag Code.

Dipke had called on supporters to gather at Central Park in Connaught Place at 5 pm for a rally with the Tricolour. The NDMC announced that the park would remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for "administrative reasons".

The central part of the national capital remained heavily guarded early Friday, with 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed and an expanded CCTV camera network put in place ahead of the planned gathering. The Delhi Traffic Police also warned that traffic movement on certain roads in and around Connaught Place could be affected from 3 pm.

Dipke defends protests, says demanding accountability is not anarchy

Responding to allegations of promoting disorder and restrictions on demonstrations, Dipke defended the CJP's proposed march, arguing that seeking accountability from those in power was a fundamental democratic right.

In a post on X, he rejected claims that peaceful demonstrations disrupt economic activity and argued that administrative restrictions and blockades cause greater hardship to businesses and the public.

"Businesses do not suffer because of peaceful protests. They suffer when the govt decides to shut down an entire city, suspend internet services and restrict the movement of its own citizens and turn the city into a war-zone," he said.

Dipke said the CJP had maintained a commitment to peaceful protest since its inception and had organised demonstrations in Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Nagpur.

"I was personally assaulted in Jaipur, but even then, I chose not to retaliate because responding to violence with violence goes against everything we believe in," he said.

He also accused the ruling establishment of hypocrisy, arguing that parties which organised street protests while in opposition should not treat similar demonstrations as threats to public order after coming to power.

"But demanding answers from the govt is not anarchy, protesting against injustice on the streets is not anarchy, and questioning those who hold public office is certainly not anarchy," Dipke said.

He added that an electoral mandate did not exempt the government from public scrutiny, saying, "A govt that has been elected by the people is bound to listen to the people, not silence them. Democracy does not end once the votes have been counted."

Also read: ‘Businesses suffer when government shuts down cities, not from peaceful protests’: CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke

CJP arrests draw Amnesty concern amid heightened security

The latest confrontation follows the arrest of two CJP leaders, Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to judicial custody for five days after allegedly removing barricades and entering Jantar Mantar, which was recently de-notified as a protest site.

Amnesty International India has called for their immediate release, arguing that the arrests and the removal of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue threaten the right to dissent.

Friday's proposed march comes amid heightened tensions over the CJP's demonstrations and follows last weekend's detention of thousands of protesters and restrictions that effectively shut down parts of the capital.

Delhi Police has said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are already in force in Connaught Place and surrounding areas. The force has also assured the Delhi High Court that all possible measures under the law would be taken to address concerns surrounding the proposed CJP protest.

The planned gathering is expected to test the authorities' handling of demonstrations by the youth-led outfit, which has called for supporters to assemble in central Delhi despite the restrictions.