The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has launched a mega dharna in Delhi to protest the stance of the Central Election Commission. Party chief Abhijit Dipke arrived in the capital from Bengaluru, while thousands of workers and supporters from across the country are converging on Delhi for the demonstration, creating a tense atmosphere in the city.
Delhi Police denied permission for the protest, citing the possibility of law-and-order problems. To prevent protesters from reaching the capital, hundreds of trains were cancelled across the country. In the city, around 45 metro stations were shut down in advance. Internet services were also completely suspended in the areas surrounding Jantar Mantar to prevent protesters from quickly relaying information to one another.
The Delhi administration has imposed what are described as the strictest restrictions seen so far. Around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed at Jantar Mantar, the Lok Sabha area, and Delhi’s border areas, with the situation being monitored continuously through drones and CCTV cameras. With trains and metro services suspended, ordinary citizens and commuters are facing severe hardship.
Dipke has made it clear that the party’s struggle will not stop despite the restrictions, the internet shutdown, and the suspension of transport services. He said the party would hold a democratic protest at Jantar Mantar under the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and would not back down under any circumstances. With this, a war-like atmosphere prevails in Delhi at present.