Delhi Police on Friday served a notice to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, asking him not to hold a planned Tiranga march at Connaught Place, citing prohibitory orders in the area.
More than 20 police personnel visited the residence where Dipke was staying in New Delhi and delivered the notice hours before the “Lehra Do Tiranga” march was scheduled to begin at 5 pm at Central Park.
The CJP had called on supporters and members of the public to gather with the national flag to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The allegations remain contested.
The notice cited Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which imposes restrictions on gatherings in Connaught Place and adjoining areas. Police said the proposed march had not been granted permission and warned Dipke against organising an unauthorised gathering.
Heavy Security Around Connaught Place
More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were reported to have been deployed across the New Delhi area ahead of the planned demonstration. Police also made additional personnel available from other districts.
Security was tightened around Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, nearby Metro stations, Palika Bazaar and other locations. Police said they would block entry points to Central Park while allowing traffic and pedestrians to move through the inner and outer circles of Connaught Place.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) also announced that Central Park would remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons.
The police notice stated that Connaught Place was not a designated protest site and suggested that the organisers seek permission to use an authorised venue. Officials said a select group could be facilitated at a suitable alternative location to wave the national flag and sing the national anthem.
Dipke Questions Police Notice
A video of the police visit showed Dipke questioning the notice and challenging officers to produce evidence that he had encouraged violence.
“Kya aarop laga diya hai aapne mere upar?” Dipke asked, questioning the allegations against him.
He also challenged the police to show a video in which he had instigated violence. Dipke maintained that the proposed demonstration was peaceful and that waving the national flag was not unlawful.
Police told him that waving the Tricolour was not prohibited, but organising an unauthorised march or gathering a crowd in violation of the restrictions could invite legal action. Officers also reminded him that the national flag must be treated in accordance with the Flag Code.
At a press conference on Thursday, Dipke said the campaign drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar.
“We believe in peace and non-violence. We are believers in Gandhi and non-violence. We are only asking for accountability,” he said.
Protest Follows Arrest of CJP Leaders
The proposed march also follows the arrest of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to five days of judicial custody after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar and raising the national flag on October 13. The site had been removed from the list of designated protest venues a day earlier.
The CJP has called for demonstrations in solidarity with the two leaders, arguing that raising the national flag should not be treated as an offence.
While Delhi Police denied permission for the proposed gathering at Connaught Place, Mumbai Police granted the party permission to hold a “Lehra Do Tiranga” rally at Azad Maidan on Friday. The Mumbai rally was also organised in solidarity with Das and Ranka.
The proposed Delhi march has drawn concern from the New Delhi Traders Association, which urged political parties to hold demonstrations at designated sites. The traders’ body said recent protests had disrupted business, traffic and the livelihoods of shopkeepers and other workers in Connaught Place.
