Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday, 15 October launched a sharp broadside at the BJP-led government at the Centre, alleging that the sweeping police crackdown during the October 10 protests in New Delhi was engineered solely to protect Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar — and not to maintain public order.

What Dipke Alleged at the Press Conference

Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Dipke said: 'Since the media report claiming differences within the poll panel was published, the government has been using all its system and machinery to protect Gyanesh Kumar. All student organisations and youths are fighting out on the streets of Delhi for the past few days. They are being dragged on roads, just to save one man, Gyanesh Kumar.'

He alleged that the crackdown spared no one — not even sitting and former constitutional officeholders. 'Even the LoP (Rahul Gandhi), former Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Pinarayi Vijayan were all detained, just to protect Gyanesh Kumar,' Dipke claimed.

Railways, Metro and Forces: The Scale of the Response

Dipke drew attention to what he described as an unprecedented administrative shutdown during the October 10 demonstrations. He alleged that train services were suspended, Metro stations across Delhi were closed, and security forces were brought in from Jammu and Kashmir — all, he contended, to suppress CJP-led protests. 'Probably it was the first time in the country that Railways were shut down, again only for Gyanesh Kumar,' he said, adding: 'The government is now waging war against their own countrymen.'

CJP Leaders in Judicial Custody

Dipke specifically raised the cases of CJP co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who are reportedly in judicial custody. He alleged their detention was triggered by the act of unfurling the Tricolour, calling the charge legally untenable. 'You have even called unfurling the Tricolour a violation of law. Just for Gyanesh Kumar?' he asked. 'Waving the National Flag cannot be a crime. Nothing is more important than the Tricolour, and Gyanesh Kumar is surely not,' he asserted.

'Tiranga Assembly' Called for October 16

Dipke reiterated a call for a 'Tiranga Assembly' at Central Park, Connaught Place, on Friday, 16 October at 5 pm, urging citizens, political parties, civil society groups, and labour and farmer unions to attend regardless of political affiliation. 'We have to come together to save our democracy. If our vote is protected only then democracy will be saved,' he said.

The press conference was also addressed by AISA National President Neha Bora, JNUSU former president Aishe Ghosh, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, actor Prakash Raj, and others — signalling a broad-based coalition gathering behind the CJP's protest.

The government has not issued a formal response to Dipke's specific allegations. How the Election Commission, the Centre, and the courts respond to the unfolding protests and custodial cases will determine whether this political confrontation deepens in the days ahead.