Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, scheduled to take place in Kochi on 7 November.
Titled “Jantar Mantar at Kochi”, the demonstration will be held at Rajendra Maidan from 4pm under the slogan “Save Democracy! Cancel SIR!”, according to a post published by the party on X, reports news agency ANI.
CJP founder and activist Abhijeet Dipke is set to participate alongside Vijay Mallangi, the party’s media and south zone lead, and Aafreen Nawaz, the national secretary.
The planned demonstration marks the party’s first major action since its leaders were detained in Delhi on 13 October whilst attempting to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR exercise.
Delhi Police detained Dipke, together with CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, for allegedly attempting to hold a demonstration against the CEC at the site without permission.
On Thursday, CJP activists Das and Ranka appeared at the Delhi Crime Branch office after being summoned in connection with the investigation into the 13 October Jantar Mantar trespassing case.
Speaking upon leaving the Crime Branch office, Ranka stated that the activists were co-operating with the investigation while asserting their right to peaceful demonstration.
“Today, there was a very routine investigation, regarding the events of October 13th. We have stated and continue to reiterate that we will fully cooperate with any investigation, regardless of which agency is conducting it,” Ranka said.
He added that displaying the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar or on a public road should not be considered a crime, expressing confidence that all ongoing investigations would be conducted fairly and with genuine intent.
Police had alleged that Das and Ranka entered Jantar Mantar, which had been denotified as a designated protest site, through private premises and violated conditions relating to maintaining peace.
Both activists were released from judicial custody on 21 October following an order by a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court after submitting written undertakings and furnishing personal and surety bonds of Rs50,000 each.
SEM Ritu Raj directed them to furnish the bonds until the conclusion of the enquiry, appear on every hearing date, and comply with all specified conditions.
In their written undertakings, Das and Ranka promised not to breach peace or disturb public tranquillity, pledged not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is denotified in accordance with law, and affirmed that future demonstrations would be conducted within the constitutional framework.
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc held a major rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Sunday to protest against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the SIR exercise.
Opposition figures in attendance included Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of facilitating alleged vote theft and stated that he would be removed from his post and jailed.
