Cockroach Party has not sought permission for Jantar Mantar protest: Police
The Delhi Police has not received any application from Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for its proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, an official said on Friday.
The Delhi Police on Friday said it has not received any request from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) seeking permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar, even as the digital campaign outfit insists it will go ahead with its planned demonstration on Saturday.
“We have not received any request from them. We will examine it if and when they seek permission,” a senior police officer told PTI.
The clarification comes a day before the proposed protest announced by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who has called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recent controversies related to the country's education system.
Despite the planned protest being announced publicly earlier this week, CJP spokespersons on Thursday told India Today Digital that the group has not yet applied for permission and intends to do so only after Dipke arrives in Delhi on Saturday. They said they expect police to grant approval and have argued that their public announcements should have alerted authorities to their plans.
"Once Dipke ji lands at the airport, we will travel along with him and seek permission from the Delhi Police to protest at Jantar Mantar," CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told India Today.
The outfit, which began as an online satirical campaign and has gained traction on social media, is planning its first on-ground protest at Jantar Mantar. However, its leaders have also maintained that the demonstration will proceed even if formal permission is denied.
“The protest will take place at Jantar Mantar even if we don't get permission. We have full confidence that permission will be provided,” CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das told India Today Digital.
Explaining the group's position, Das said the CJP opposes the practice of seeking approvals weeks in advance for protests. “We are against the way protests happen in this country. Seeking permission weeks prior to a protest and waiting for approval is not acceptable to us,” Das added.
Delhi Police, meanwhile, said it is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to deploy personnel in sensitive areas if required to maintain law and order. Authorities noted that there is a prescribed procedure, including advance intimation and permissions, for organising public demonstrations in the national capital.
CJP leaders have repeatedly asserted that the proposed protest will remain peaceful. “We are not protesting as a menace to the police or the public. We are opting for a peaceful protest,” Ranka said.
"Delhi Police is capable of handling the security of the protesters gathering on Saturday, and we have full confidence in them," Das added.
The protest has also received support from activist Sonam Wangchuk, who may receive Dipke upon his arrival in Delhi, although CJP leaders acknowledged that airports are sensitive security zones and any plans regarding such a reception are still under consideration.
In a video message on Thursday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke withdrew his earlier appeal asking supporters to receive him at the Delhi airport, citing an overwhelming response.
“The overwhelming response from those who want the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan was beyond our imagination,” he said, adding that a large gathering at the airport could cause inconvenience to the public and security personnel.
“So please do not come to Delhi airport,” Dipke urged. He said he would instead visit the Parliament Street Police Station to seek permission for the group's proposed protest at Jantar Mantar.
Emphasising that the movement would remain peaceful, Dipke said, “We are law-abiding citizens and have to act responsibly,” while urging supporters to ensure that “nobody should create any kind of disturbance.”
The Delhi Police on Friday said it has not received any request from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) seeking permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar, even as the digital campaign outfit insists it will go ahead with its planned demonstration on Saturday.
“We have not received any request from them. We will examine it if and when they seek permission,” a senior police officer told PTI.
The clarification comes a day before the proposed protest announced by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who has called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recent controversies related to the country's education system.
Despite the planned protest being announced publicly earlier this week, CJP spokespersons on Thursday told India Today Digital that the group has not yet applied for permission and intends to do so only after Dipke arrives in Delhi on Saturday. They said they expect police to grant approval and have argued that their public announcements should have alerted authorities to their plans.
"Once Dipke ji lands at the airport, we will travel along with him and seek permission from the Delhi Police to protest at Jantar Mantar," CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told India Today.
The outfit, which began as an online satirical campaign and has gained traction on social media, is planning its first on-ground protest at Jantar Mantar. However, its leaders have also maintained that the demonstration will proceed even if formal permission is denied.
“The protest will take place at Jantar Mantar even if we don't get permission. We have full confidence that permission will be provided,” CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das told India Today Digital.
Explaining the group's position, Das said the CJP opposes the practice of seeking approvals weeks in advance for protests. “We are against the way protests happen in this country. Seeking permission weeks prior to a protest and waiting for approval is not acceptable to us,” Das added.
Delhi Police, meanwhile, said it is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to deploy personnel in sensitive areas if required to maintain law and order. Authorities noted that there is a prescribed procedure, including advance intimation and permissions, for organising public demonstrations in the national capital.
CJP leaders have repeatedly asserted that the proposed protest will remain peaceful. “We are not protesting as a menace to the police or the public. We are opting for a peaceful protest,” Ranka said.
"Delhi Police is capable of handling the security of the protesters gathering on Saturday, and we have full confidence in them," Das added.
The protest has also received support from activist Sonam Wangchuk, who may receive Dipke upon his arrival in Delhi, although CJP leaders acknowledged that airports are sensitive security zones and any plans regarding such a reception are still under consideration.
In a video message on Thursday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke withdrew his earlier appeal asking supporters to receive him at the Delhi airport, citing an overwhelming response.
“The overwhelming response from those who want the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan was beyond our imagination,” he said, adding that a large gathering at the airport could cause inconvenience to the public and security personnel.
“So please do not come to Delhi airport,” Dipke urged. He said he would instead visit the Parliament Street Police Station to seek permission for the group's proposed protest at Jantar Mantar.
Emphasising that the movement would remain peaceful, Dipke said, “We are law-abiding citizens and have to act responsibly,” while urging supporters to ensure that “nobody should create any kind of disturbance.”
