NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Monday accused Delhi Police of assaulting protesters, journalists and even MPs amid the crackdown on demonstrations demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support for the CEC, Dipke alleged that the scale of police action showed the government was prepared to use force to protect Kumar.In a post on X, Dipke questioned why the authorities were taking such measures against people protesting over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.“Youth are being assaulted, journalists are being assaulted even MPs are being assaulted by Delhi Police.”He added, “What makes Gyanesh Kumar so indispensable to PM Modi that he is willing to wage war against everyone just to protect him?”
CJP alleges assault on protesters during Delhi crackdown
Dipke’s remarks came after CJP called for a demonstration against Kumar at Jantar Mantar, which was prevented from taking place amid extensive security deployment and preventive detentions across the capital.The party has alleged that police personnel used force against its supporters during the protests. CJP had also claimed that its Mumbai lead, Pranay Ahire, was brutally assaulted during the demonstration and was receiving treatment at a hospital.
CPM MP John Brittas alleges assault by Delhi Police
The controversy has also extended to opposition leaders. CPM Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas wrote to the Chief Justice of India, President Droupadi Murmu and Rajya Sabha chairman CP Radhakrishnan, alleging that Delhi Police personnel dragged him away, lifted him and assaulted him inside a police vehicle while he was interacting with journalists during the protests.Brittas sought an independent investigation and accountability, alleging that the incident raised questions about parliamentary privilege and the right to peaceful expression.
CJP vows to continue campaign against CEC
The CJP has maintained that its campaign will continue until Kumar resigns. The party’s demands include action over alleged electoral-roll irregularities and the scrapping of the SIR exercise.The protests have triggered a wider political confrontation, with opposition leaders questioning the police response and authorities citing law-and-order concerns behind the security measures.(With agency inputs)
