Abhijeet Dipke, Cockroach Party founder, detained ahead of CJP protest at Central Park, Delhi

Detention before planned march

On Friday, police issued Dipke a notice alleging he had called supporters to gather without permission. Officers warned of criminal action if the group ignored restrictions on public assemblies.

Protest plans meet restrictions

The CJP had planned a large gathering at Central Park, but the authorities said the park was closed on Friday and Saturday for administrative reasons. The group urged supporters to share photographs online, saying, “Waving the Tiranga (tricolour flag) is not a crime.” Police also removed Jantar Mantar from Delhi’s approved protest sites, directing demonstrators to Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground or CBD Ground. The CJP said moving protests away from the seat of power would make them less visible.

Small turnout, heavy security

Small groups waved Indian flags and shouted slogans in Connaught Place, but the large crowd seen at earlier demonstrations did not appear. Security personnel and media outnumbered protesters.

The BBC witnessed dozens of detentions, including journalists and students. Its footage showed police taking protesters by the arms and pushing them into buses, and captured a policeman slapping a detained protester inside one bus. Delhi police did not answer questions about violence; they said their measures were needed to maintain public order and prevent unauthorised gatherings.

Movement’s wider campaign

The CJP has drawn thousands onto the streets in recent months. Its protests first gained momentum over leaked examination papers, and a July march towards Parliament ended in clashes with police. The unrest intensified pressure on the government and eventually led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The party accuses the Election Commission of favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an allegation denied by both the commission and the government. Its campaign is taking place alongside separate opposition protests over claims that voter rolls were manipulated to benefit the BJP.

Organisers say protests continue

Dipke had said the march, named Lehra Do Tiranga, or Wave the Tricolour, would proceed even if he faced arrest. In a video message, Shinde said he might also be jailed but would continue to raise the tricolour.