News Desk: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has backed the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) after two of its leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were sent to five days of judicial custody over their alleged entry into Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Rahul said that waving the national flag at the protest site was “not a crime”, bringing the issue into the national political spotlight.
The development comes amid growing controversy over restrictions on demonstrations in the national capital. Das, the CJP's chief spokesperson, and Ranka, its national spokesperson, were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday after allegedly climbing over the locked gates of Jantar Mantar. The leaders were reportedly accompanied by several others who had gathered to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to reports, some members of the group entered the premises carrying the Tricolour and raised slogans demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation. The police intervened and detained the protesters.
On Wednesday, a Special Executive Magistrate sent Das and Ranka to five days of judicial custody. Police reportedly argued that the leaders had called on people to assemble at the site despite restrictions and had violated an undertaking to maintain public peace. CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde, who was also detained, was released on a personal bond.
Rahul Gandhi's support for the CJP leaders has added a significant political dimension to the incident. His remarks focus attention on the broader question of the right to peaceful protest and the use of the national flag during demonstrations.
The controversy intensified after Delhi Police announced that Jantar Mantar would no longer remain a designated protest venue. A circular issued on Monday identified three alternative locations for demonstrations: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in Shahdara.
The decision followed recommendations from a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to identify alternative venues for public protests. Jantar Mantar has long served as an important location for political demonstrations and public movements in Delhi.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has also criticised the detention of the party's leaders. He questioned the action taken against them and accused the authorities of attempting to suppress dissent.
The latest developments have intensified the debate over restrictions on public demonstrations in the capital. With Rahul Gandhi now backing the CJP leaders, the episode is likely to draw further political attention as questions continue to be raised over protest rights, police action and access to designated demonstration sites.
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