The detention of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders ahead of the planned protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders, with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accusing the authorities of suppressing dissent.
The CJP leaders, including Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained by Delhi Police after arriving at the national capital by flight. The detentions came amid heightened security arrangements ahead of the demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Mahua Moitra Calls Detentions ‘Cowardly’
Reacting to reports that the CJP leaders had been detained inside their aircraft, Mahua Moitra criticised the police action in a post on X.
“Chors. Cowards. Bullies. Entered aircraft to detain Team CJP. This is our Emergency, India,” she wrote.
Her remarks added to the growing opposition criticism of the security measures imposed ahead of the protest. Opposition leaders have questioned the necessity of the detentions, arguing that the restrictions risk curtailing peaceful political mobilisation.
Kejriwal Alleges ‘Absolute Dictatorship’
Kejriwal also condemned the detention of the CJP leaders, describing the situation as “worse than the Emergency”.
“It’s official… we are living under an absolute dictatorship ruled by Modi. Arresting cockroaches straight off their flight shows an unprecedented level of fear,” he wrote on X.
He further alleged that the government was attempting to suppress questions over electoral processes and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Kejriwal also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, linking the detentions to allegations of electoral manipulation.
These claims represent the opposition’s allegations and have not been established as findings of fact.
AAP Claims Heavy Security Outside Kejriwal’s Residence
The Aam Aadmi Party alleged that Delhi Police had deployed heavy security outside Kejriwal’s residence. The development followed the AAP leader’s announcement that he and his family would join the planned CJP demonstration.
The reported security arrangements raised further questions about whether opposition leaders and supporters would be able to reach Jantar Mantar to participate in the mobilisation.
More Than 60 People Detained Near Bangla Sahib Gurdwara
In another development, more than 60 people were reportedly detained near Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, where protesters had taken shelter overnight. According to the account provided by the protesters, police personnel waited outside the gurdwara and detained people as they emerged on Saturday morning.
The reported detentions added to concerns among protest organisers and opposition parties over the police response to the planned demonstration.
CPI(M) Leaders, Including Pinarayi Vijayan, Taken Into Custody
The CPI(M) also claimed that former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several party leaders were taken into custody by Delhi Police after arriving at Jantar Mantar to participate in the protest.
Those named by the party included CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby, M.V. Govindan Master, A. Vijayaraghavan, K.K. Shailaja, John Brittas, K.N. Balagopal and Brinda Karat.
The party’s claim placed the detentions at the centre of a widening political confrontation over the protest, with opposition leaders questioning the restrictions on assembly and movement in the capital.
The planned CJP demonstration centres on allegations of irregularities in the SIR exercise and concerns over the possible exclusion of eligible voters from electoral rolls. Organisers have demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, while the Election Commission’s handling of the revision process has become a major political flashpoint.
The detentions, allegations of heightened security outside political leaders’ residences and reported action against protesters have intensified the dispute ahead of the demonstration.
