Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke with legal head Ratna Singh address a press conference on Friday, October 16. PTI
Ahead of CJP's Tiranga march, Dipke says he may be detained
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced that Central Park at Connaught Place — the site of tomorrow's protest — will be shut on October 16 and October 17.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said police may detain him and claimed police and sleuths are watching him at home.
Addressing a press conference late Thursday night (October 15), Dipke said he was ready to go to jail for waving the national flag if he has to.
"Tomorrow, we will peacefully go and wave the Tiranga. As the citizens of this country, if you consider this to be a crime, then you are the biggest traitor," Dipke said.
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"If we have to go to jail to wave the Tiranga in this country, then we are ready for it," he added.
Central Park to be shut
Earlier in the day, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced that Central Park at Connaught Place — the site of tomorrow's protest — will be shut on October 16 and October 17.
Delhi Police urged people to stay away from the CJP march, but said it could facilitate a select group of people to wave the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable place.
He also questioned Delhi Police: "Why does Delhi Police have a problem with waving the Tiranga?"
The NDMC cited "administrative reasons" behind the two-day park closure.
Prohibitory orders
In a statement on Thursday, the police cited prohibitory orders in force in Connaught Place and adjoining areas. It, however, added that a limited number of people could be allowed to participate in a symbolic display of patriotism.
The police said various trader and market associations in Connaught Place and neighbouring areas have sought protection for their establishments from unruly elements and unlawful assemblies, which could affect business during the festival season.
"Tomorrow, we will say that we will wave the Tiranga at 100 places. So you will shut down all 100 places?" Dipke said.
"Tomorrow, we will say that if you go to Narendra Modi's rally and wave the Tiranga, will you cancel your rally? What a joke you have made," he said.
CJP's message to public
The CJP has called on the general public and its supporters to gather at CP's Central Park on Friday to wave the national flag as part of its protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
"Declare officially that you will not wave the Tiranga. Then you are a traitor. Till date, no Prime Minister or any government has ever done this," Dipke added.
He alleged that citizens are being jailed for waving the tricolour, and cited the arrest of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, his colleagues at the CJP.
"Why does the Prime Minister of India hate the Tiranga so much? If he hates the Tiranga, does he deserve to be the Prime Minister of India?" Dipke said.
(With agency inputs)