Dipke detained on way to ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest
New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and AISA chief Neha Bora were preventively detained by Delhi Police here on Friday while on their way to participate in the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protests, with Dipke headed to Connaught Place and Bora to Mandi House. Dipke was picked up from his residence in Jhandewalan, while Bora was detained at Mandi House. The detentions triggered scenes of jostling among crowds, camera crews and security personnel. Police sources said Dipke was taken to Jafarpur Kalan police station after being detained.
Earlier in the day, more than 20 Delhi Police personnel had visited Dipke’s residence in Jhandewalan and served him a notice directing him to refrain from any action that could prejudice the rights of citizens, traders, commuters, patients and others.
During a conversation with the police, Dipke was told, “Aap New Delhi nahi jaa sakte. Hum aapko detain kar rahe hain” (You cannot go to New Delhi. We are detaining you). He responded, “New Delhi nahi jaa sakta, kahin aur toh jaa sakta hoon. Maine kaunsa kanoon toda hai?” (I cannot go to New Delhi, but I can go somewhere else. What law have I broken?)
Hundreds of CJP supporters and student organization members carrying the national flag held a series of flash protests in central Delhi’s Connaught Place and Mandi House on Friday evening amid heavy police deployment. The protesters walked through the inner circle of Connaught Place, intermittently raising the slogan of ‘Jai Hind’ before dispersing and regrouping at different spots. Some also sang the national anthem. Students and members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) protested at Mandi House, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and the withdrawal of the 2023 Election Commissioner Appointment Act.
Frequent protests and traffic disruptions in Delhi are affecting businesses during the festive season. Traders are flagging lost customers, falling sales and mounting financial pressure, urging authorities to ensure that demonstrations do not disrupt commercial activity. National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) treasurer Manpreet Singh said frequent protests in and around Connaught Place significantly affected businesses, with some establishments recording zero sales on certain days.
The Supreme Court declined to issue urgent directions to stop the CJP’s proposed protest at Central Park in Connaught Place. “We hope better sense will prevail,” a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, stressing the need to ensure that the public was not put to inconvenience.