Congress leader and leader of opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday criticised the arrest of senior leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, calling their incarceration an ‘act of cowardice’ and vowing to reclaim Jantar Mantar as a space for public protests.
The senior Congress leader made the announcement via an official ‘X’ post, defending the right to peaceful stir and arguing that hoisting the tricolour during a protest should not be viewed as a criminal act.
Rahul Gandhi (Left) and CJP leaders (Right)
Gandhi’s post read, “Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice.” He then drew attention to the wider footfall of students, youngsters, journalists and opposition parties in demonstrations, suggesting that different groups were united by a common demand for constitutional rights.
His post further read, “Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights.”
“Jantar Mantar belongs to people”: Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi’s remarks highlighted a pointed message about the importance of public spaces for democratic expression. He announced, “Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it,” signalling opposition to what he portrayed as restrictions on peaceful protest.
His comments surfaced after a court in Delhi ordered CJP leaders Das and Ranka to be remanded in judicial custody for five days, for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar. Post-arrest, fresh spotlight has been cast over the rights of demonstrators and the conditions imposed on people participating in protests in the national capital.
CJP leaders sent to Tihar jail; here’s why?
During the hearing which went forward on Wednesday, the Delhi Police contended that the accused duo had disturbed public peace and had violated the conditions of bonds they had furnished earlier. Police alleged both men had called on people to join the protest despite having given undertakings that they would refrain from such activities for a year.
Citing the aforementioned grounds, the cops sought legal action against them. After hearing the matter, the court of the Special Executive Magistrate in Delhi directed authorities to claim five days of judicial custody for both Ranka and Das. They were directed to lodge the duo at Tihar Jail.
Representative image
The allegations levelled by the police, followed by the court’s custody order formed the immediate backdrop to Gandhi’s criticism of the action.
Ajinkya Shinde granted bail on bond
Meanwhile, CJP’s another prominent leader, Ajinkya Shinde, was directed to furnish a bail bond of Rs 5,000. He was also ordered to undertake that he would not disturb public peace for a year.
Since the issuance of all the aforementioned orders, Jantar Mantar, which was formerly a prominent venue for protests in Delhi, has emerged as a political flashpoint across the country.