NEW DELHI: Former Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya on Saturday mocked party founder Abhijeet Dipke, co-convenor Saurav Das, leader Ashutosh Ranka and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee after they were detained by Delhi Police ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar.In a video posted on Instagram, Dahiya listed the four names, saying each has been detained, before contrasting their fate with his own: “But Vijeta Dahiya? Out!” He followed it with a teasing gesture and bursts out laughing.“Zyada load mat lo (don’t overthink it),” he said, adding that he was heading out just to recite a poem about protest and raise a few slogans. He then told Delhi Police to stop chasing and detaining protesters and arrest criminals instead.“Delhi Police, hosh mein aao (come to your senses),” he said.The video surfaces amid heightened security in Delhi for CJP’s ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ demonstration against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
CJP had removed Dahiya as spokesperson
Dahiya was removed as CJP spokesperson in July after videos of him at a burger outlet near a protest site drew criticism while party members and protesters were facing police action during the outfit’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march.The party described his conduct as “deeply insensitive” and “unacceptable”, saying it was inconsistent with the movement’s values and principles. It also relieved him of all official duties.Dahiya defended his decision to eat at the outlet, saying he was hungry and had been working continuously for the movement.He questioned why eating a burger had become a major issue, arguing that people were overlooking the work done by those involved in the protest.
Over 3,000 detained ahead of CJP protest
Delhi Police detained more than 3,000 people across the capital as they attempted to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed CJP demonstration. Detentions were reported near Regal Cinema, Minto Bridge and Akashwani Bhawan, among other locations.Police sources also said more than 600 people with criminal records were detained across Delhi as a preventive measure. Police had denied permission for the protest, citing public safety, traffic management and law-and-order concerns.Dipke, Das and Ranka were detained after arriving in Delhi from Mumbai. Rathee was also detained ahead of the planned demonstration.
