Criticising the administration's severe response to public demonstrations on October 10, Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke mounted a sharp attack on the central government during a press conference on October 15. Dipke contended that the massive security measures, transportation halts, and administrative crackdowns across the national capital were orchestrated with the singular objective of shielding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He claimed that ever since reports highlighting internal disagreements within the Election Commission emerged in the media, the entire government machinery had been deployed to defend Kumar.
Student Activists and Opposition Leaders Detained
Addressing reporters, Dipke highlighted that student organisations and young protesters had been demonstrating on the streets of Delhi for several days. He stated that youth were dragged across streets merely to protect Gyanesh Kumar from accountability. The CJP chief noted that prominent political figures were similarly targeted during the police action. According to Dipke, key opposition figures including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alongside former chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, and Pinarayi Vijayan, were taken into detention as part of the administration's bid to insulate the CEC.
Disruption of Train and Metro Services
Highlighting the disruption faced by the public during the October 10 demonstrations, Dipke remarked that it was perhaps unprecedented for railway operations in the country to be brought to a standstill for an individual official. He added that beyond halting train movements, authorities proceeded to shut down metro services and stations across Delhi. Dipke further alleged that security forces were brought in from Jammu and Kashmir to manage the capital. He argued that these extreme security protocols created an atmosphere where the state appeared to be waging a battle against its own citizens.
Capital Compared to Border Zone Amid Emergency Remarks
Referring to the judicial remand of CJP leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, Dipke questioned the rationale behind treating the waving of the national tricolour as an offence. He stated that Delhi had been virtually shut down and transformed into something resembling the India-Pakistan border through heavy troop deployments. Dipke asked why Kumar was deemed indispensable by the ruling dispensation, questioning why such extensive security was being provided if the official was not aiding the BJP in winning elections. Terming the slogan of One Nation, One Election a cover for a One Nation, One Party structure, he challenged the government to officially declare an Emergency rather than repeatedly detaining youth leaders, civil rights activists, and opposition figures.
Call for Tiranga Sabha at Connaught Place on October 16
During the address, Dipke reiterated his call for a gathering named Tiranga Sabha on October 16 at 5 pm in Central Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi. The assembly is planned as a peaceful demonstration to wave the national flag in protest against the arrest of party co-convenors Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. He urged political organisations, civil society groups, and trade and farmer unions to set aside ideological divides and join the event. Dipke remarked that democratic survival is tied to safeguarding the vote, adding that waving the national flag could never be an unlawful act and that nothing stands above the tricolour.
Allegations Regarding Media Mistreatment and Electoral Deletions
AISA President Neha Bora, who was present at the media briefing, raised concerns over the treatment meted out to journalists covering the protests. She stated that media personnel were detained and had their equipment confiscated despite displaying valid accreditation cards. Bora alleged that following an incident of harassment involving a female journalist and ACP Vivek Bhagat, legal charges were filed against the journalist herself. She further remarked that the judicial custody of Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka symbolically represented the plight of 13 crore citizens whose votes were reportedly purged under the SIR and who faced police excesses while protesting.
