‘Undeclared Emergency’: Opposition backs Dipke, Neha Bora after Delhi Police detentions
New Delhi: Opposition leaders Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin and Arvind Kejriwal on Friday backed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and AISA chief Neha Bora after Delhi Police detained them amid protests over alleged electoral fraud.
Police stopped Dipke before he could reach Connaught Place for the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ event. Officers detained Bora near Mandi House. Hundreds of protesters gathered at Connaught Place and Mandi House despite heavy security. Police said around 150 people had been detained by Friday evening.
Mamata attacks Centre
Banerjee condemned the action in a post on X. “WHAT IS DELHI POLICE UP TO?” she asked. “Abhijeet Dipke has been detained for holding the Indian National Flag. Let that sink in. In Independent India, our youth are being detained for peacefully asserting their democratic rights,” she wrote.
She accused the Centre of intimidating young people and described the situation as an undeclared Emergency. Stalin questioned the lack of information about the leaders’ whereabouts. “Detaining them without disclosing their whereabouts is blatantly illegal and deeply inhumane,” he posted.
“The Union Government must release them immediately and stop suppressing peaceful protests. Every attempt to crush the movement will only make it stronger,” he added.
Kejriwal questions police action
Kejriwal described the action as “sheer dictatorship” and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “If we don’t wave the Tiranga in our own country, will we wave it in Pakistan? Those who have a problem with the Indian Tiranga should go to Pakistan.”
The BJP dismissed the demonstrations as “attempts at creating anarchy” and rejected the allegations of electoral fraud. Police sources told PTI that Dipke was at Jafarpur Kalan police station. AISA said Bora was held alone at the Anti-Narcotic Task Force office in Manglapuri.
Police cite gathering restrictions
Earlier, police served Dipke a notice citing prohibitory orders around Connaught Place and the absence of NDMC permission for the march. Officers told him that waving the national flag was legal, but an unauthorised march and crowd gathering would violate restrictions.
A senior officer told PTI that police sought to maintain law and order and ensure smooth traffic. Security personnel cordoned off Central Park, while Rapid Action Force personnel took positions inside. Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar visited Parliament Street police station to review arrangements.