Around 150 people were reportedly detained in Delhi during the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest at Connaught Place on Friday. The demonstration was linked to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), whose founder, Abhijit Dipke, was detained before the planned march.
Here are five key questions to understand the controversy.
1. What is the Cockroach Janata Party?
CJP is a group led by Abhijit Dipke. Its supporters have been taking part in flash protests, with young people among those joining the demonstrations.
2. What does the group want?
One of its main demands is the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
3. What happened on Friday?
Reports said police detained Dipke from his accommodation after serving him two notices. AISA president Neha Bora was also detained at Mandi House. Despite these detentions, several hundred people gathered at Connaught Place and marched around the inner circle carrying a large national flag. Reports put the number detained at around 150.
4. What did the police say?
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was in force at Connaught Place. Police said the notice to Dipke was issued in line with a Delhi High Court order. The authorities’ account and the organisers’ position should be considered separately.
5. Why is actor Imran Khan in the news?
Separately, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya reportedly questioned actor Imran Khan’s citizenship after a protest in Mumbai and filed a police complaint. These are allegations, not proof of his citizenship status. This is actor Imran Khan, not former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
