BJP calls CJP's Abhijeet Dipke 'traitor' over Tiranga Assembly call on Oct 16
Synopsis
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia branded CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke a 'traitor' and 'anarchic element' after Dipke announced a Tiranga Assembly at Connaught Place on 16 October in protest against the arrest of CJP co-conveners and the government's crackdown on demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The exchange signals a sharp political flashpoint ahead of Friday's planned rally.
Key Takeaways
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia called CJP Chief Abhijeet Dipke a 'traitor' and 'anarchic element' at a press conference on 15 October 2026 .
Dipke has called a 'Tiranga Assembly' at Central Park, Connaught Place at 5 pm on 16 October to protest the arrest of CJP co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka .
The dispute is rooted in protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar , with Dipke accusing the Centre of detaining student groups and opposition figures to 'protect only one man.' Bhatia also targeted Rahul Gandhi , AISA National President Neha Bora , and advocate Prashant Bhushan in his remarks.
BJP questioned whether Connaught Place is a designated protest site and whether the CJP has obtained the necessary permissions.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, 15 October 2026, launched a sharp attack on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Chief Abhijeet Dipke, labelling him a 'traitor' and accusing him of 'attempting to weaken India despite living here.' The BJP's broadside came after Dipke criticised the Centre's crackdown on protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and announced a 'Tiranga Assembly' at Connaught Place in New Delhi for 16 October.
What the BJP Said
Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia unleashed a series of pointed attacks on Dipke, calling him an 'anarchic element' and alleging that he was 'provoking others' and urging the Indian Army and police to take to the streets. 'Just now, a press conference was held by an ‘anarchic element.’ He is an anarchist—every Indian knows this—but he is also anti-national and a traitor. Living on Indian soil, he is actively provoking others, calling upon the Indian Army and the police to take to the streets in protest,' Bhatia said.
Bhatia further charged that Dipke's remarks stood 'in direct opposition to the Constitution and the law,' and that his 'true, toxic, and repulsive nature' had been exposed. He accused the CJP of 'engaging in theatrics' by hoisting the Tricolour 'only to follow it up with poisonous rhetoric.'
The Tiranga Assembly: What Is It
Abhijeet Dipke has called on citizens to gather at Central Park, Connaught Place at 5 pm on Friday, 16 October, to wave the Tricolour in protest against the arrest of CJP's Co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Dipke had accused the BJP-led Union government of detaining members of student organisations, opposition leaders, and protesters in order to 'protect only one man, Gyanesh Kumar.'
Bhatia questioned the choice of Connaught Place as a protest venue and whether necessary permissions had been obtained, asking: 'Is Connaught Place a designated site for protests? Have you even sought permission to stage a sit-in at an authorised protest venue?'
Other Figures in the BJP's Crosshairs
Bhatia also targeted Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, All India Students Association (AISA) National President Neha Bora, and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, questioning why the Tricolour had 'suddenly come to mind' for those whom he alleged had never held or hoisted it before. He invoked the phrase 'Tukde-Tukde Gang' and the term 'Toolkit' to allege a broader agenda of spreading 'anarchy' from Delhi to the rest of the country.
Notably, Bhatia referred to remarks by Neha Bora, who had reportedly praised Bangladesh's Gen-Z protest movement and said it had inspired young Indians to stand up for democracy and voting rights. Bhatia characterised those remarks as advocating for 'anarchy' and tearing 'the Constitution to shreds.'
Context and Background
The confrontation comes amid heightened political tensions over protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, with the BJP and opposition groups trading accusations over the legitimacy of dissent and the government's response to demonstrators. This is part of a broader pattern of BJP-versus-opposition clashes over election commission appointments and civil society protests that has intensified in recent months. The Tiranga Assembly, if it proceeds on 16 October, is likely to draw further political reactions from both sides.
How authorities respond to the planned gathering at Connaught Place, and whether the CJP secures the necessary permissions, will be closely watched in the coming hours.
Point of View
' 'Mir Jafar,' 'termites'—is not incidental; it is a studied escalation designed to delegitimise the CJP and, by association, anyone standing alongside it, including Rahul Gandhi and Prashant Bhushan. What gets lost in that framing is the substantive question at the centre of the dispute: the circumstances under which CJP co-conveners were detained. By shifting the argument to the character of the protesters, the BJP sidesteps scrutiny of the crackdown on demonstrations against CEC Gyanesh Kumar—a matter with genuine constitutional stakes. Mainstream coverage has focused on the rhetoric battle; the more consequential story is whether civil society's right to protest around election commission appointments is being curtailed.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the BJP call Abhijeet Dipke a traitor?
The BJP labelled CJP Chief Abhijeet Dipke a 'traitor' after he criticised the Centre's crackdown on protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and announced a Tiranga Assembly at Connaught Place on 16 October. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also accused Dipke of urging the Army and police to protest against the government.
What is the Tiranga Assembly called by CJP?
The Tiranga Assembly is a demonstration called by CJP Chief Abhijeet Dipke at Central Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi, at 5 pm on Friday, 16 October. It is intended as a protest against the arrest of CJP co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka and the government's handling of protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Who are Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka?
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are the Co-conveners of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Their arrest prompted CJP Chief Abhijeet Dipke to organise the Tiranga Assembly as a protest against what he described as politically motivated detentions.
What did BJP say about Neha Bora and Prashant Bhushan?
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia grouped AISA National President Neha Bora and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan with Dipke and Rahul Gandhi, questioning their credentials to invoke the Tricolour. Bhatia specifically cited Bora's praise of Bangladesh's Gen-Z protest movement, characterising it as advocacy for anarchy in India.
What is the dispute over CEC Gyanesh Kumar about?
Opposition groups and civil society protesters have demonstrated against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with critics alleging that the government has cracked down on these protests by detaining student activists, opposition members, and demonstrators. The BJP has defended its actions, while CJP and others have described them as an attempt to shield the CEC from democratic scrutiny.
