Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday, 16 October declared that party supporters would march peacefully to Central Park, Connaught Place in New Delhi at 5 pm, carrying the national flag as part of the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' campaign — even as he warned that the Delhi Police could arrest him before or after the event. Speaking at a press conference in Jhandewalan, Dipke said no restriction could justify preventing citizens from waving the Tricolour.

What Dipke Said at the Press Conference

Flanked by CJP National Legal Affairs Lead Ratna Singh, Dipke told reporters that the party remained committed to peaceful protest and non-violence. He alleged that authorities had responded to the party's October 10 protest call by disrupting public transport, erecting barricades, shutting internet services, and deciding to close Central Park altogether once the march was announced.

'Tonight or tomorrow morning, the Delhi Police can pick me up. If one has to go to jail for waving the Tricolour in this country, then we are ready for it,' Dipke said. He also questioned whether similar curbs would be imposed on flag-hoisting programmes held across hundreds of locations nationwide, and asked pointedly: 'Has waving the Tricolour become a crime in India?'

Detained Party Members and Surveillance Allegations

Dipke alleged that two CJP members — Ashutosh and Saurabh — had been taken into custody and sent to judicial custody for displaying the national flag. He claimed that Vijay Mallangi, the party's national media lead, had been stopped by a police officer from recording a video with the Tricolour outside Central Park, citing a purported video of the incident.

He further alleged that plainclothes police and intelligence personnel were stationed near his residence, that a white Scorpio was frequently following him, and that vehicles without number plates were trailing other party members. He said Intelligence Bureau personnel were also monitoring Ratna Singh, and that plainclothes officials had approached the security guard at his accommodation to gather information about his movements.

Core Demand: Election Commission Accountability

The 'Lehra Do Tiranga' campaign, according to Dipke, draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B.R. Ambedkar. Its central demand is the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the appointment of an independent and impartial successor. Dipke alleged irregularities in the electoral process — specifically, changes to Form 6 without Supreme Court approval — and claimed that concerns raised by fellow election commissioners had not been adequately addressed.

'We are only asking for accountability,' he said, adding that the campaign was not aimed at overthrowing the government but at securing a free, fair, and independent Election Commission. He addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly, challenging the authorities to clarify why citizens face restrictions for carrying the national flag.

Legal Steps and What Happens Next

Ratna Singh said the party's legal team had completed the procedural steps required to secure the release of the two detained members, but alleged that officials had delayed the process until the end of the day before informing the team it would be completed the following morning. She described the detentions as illegal and said the party would challenge the authorities' actions in court, including before a higher court if necessary.

Dipke reiterated that participants would proceed peacefully to Central Park, Connaught Place at 5 pm on 16 October, regardless of the restrictions in place. The situation remains fluid as authorities and the party appear set for a direct confrontation over the right to public assembly.