The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) enters a crucial week with two of its top leaders in jail and its founder on bail. A Dussehra effigy has also pulled the party into a fresh political row.
Two Leaders Remain In Tihar
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody after being put under preventive arrest for allegedly entering Jantar Mantar on October 13. On October 19, a Special Executive Magistrate extended their custody by two more days. The police argued the two could disturb public order if released. The CJP alleges that the bail process is being deliberately delayed.
DON'T MISS
Dipke Out On Bail
Founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained on October 16 ahead of the party’s “Lehra Do Tiranga” rally at Connaught Place. A Delhi court granted him conditional bail the next day and asked him to sign a peace bond. Under the bond, he must not breach the peace for a year. Dipke said the party would “neither be intimidated nor back down”.
The Cockroach Effigy Row
On Tuesday, Dipke thanked the organisers of a Delhi Ramlila for “free publicity” after they announced plans to burn a 30-foot cockroach effigy alongside Ravan’s. The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee in Pitampura said the effigy symbolised filth and promoted cleanliness under the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns. CJP legal head Ratna Singh called it “tamasha” and said it showed the ruling party was rattled.
Where Is The CJP Headed?
The party’s core demand remains the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a rollback of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Dipke says the party will regroup and restrategise once Das and Ranka are released. A senior CJP leader said protests are becoming difficult in Delhi, so the party is considering Bihar and southern states.
For now, the CJP’s next move depends on the court. Its leadership is split between jail and bail, and its protest plans are on hold until Das and Ranka are out.
