New Delhi, October 12: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has strongly criticised the Delhi Police's decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, declaring that the entire country would become a centre of protest. Reacting to the development, Dipke said the venue had already been turned into a “war zone” and vowed that the decision would not stop people from raising their voices.
In a post on X, Dipke wrote, “They have removed Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Yes, it’s no longer a protest site as anyway it was turned into a war zone by the coward dictator. Ab poora desh Jantar Mantar banega!”
The statement, which translates to “Now the entire country will become Jantar Mantar”, reflects the growing confrontation between the protesters and the authorities over the right to demonstrate in the national capital.
Jantar Mantar has long been one of Delhi's most recognised locations for public demonstrations, with political parties, civil society groups and activists gathering there to raise demands and draw attention to various issues. The decision to withdraw its designated protest-site status has therefore become a fresh point of contention amid the ongoing political tensions surrounding the protests.
Dipke's remarks come against the backdrop of demonstrations linked to demands for electoral accountability and opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Protesters have raised concerns over the electoral revision process and the functioning of the Election Commission, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also facing criticism from sections of the opposition and civil society.
The protests have triggered a wider political confrontation, with opposition leaders and activists questioning the restrictions imposed on demonstrations and the handling of protesters by the authorities. The situation has also brought renewed attention to the balance between maintaining public order and protecting the democratic right to peaceful assembly.
By declaring that the entire country would become Jantar Mantar, Dipke appeared to signal that the removal of the designated protest site would not weaken the movement. Instead, his message suggested that the campaign could extend beyond a single location and continue through demonstrations and public mobilisation elsewhere.
However, the implications of the Delhi Police's decision will depend on the applicable restrictions and how authorities regulate future gatherings. The precise scope of the denotification and the arrangements for alternative protest venues remain important questions.
Dipke's statement has added another political dimension to the dispute, underlining the determination of the protest movement's supporters to continue their campaign. With tensions over electoral reforms and the right to protest continuing, the coming days could prove significant for both the demonstrators and the authorities.
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