NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activist Saurav Das on Thursday hit back at Union minister Jitendra Singh over allegations of foreign funding behind the outfit’s youth-led movement, demanding evidence and calling the claims baseless.His remarks came after Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde were questioned by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for around four hours in connection with two FIRs over the October 13 Jantar Mantar protest.Police sources said around 70 questions were put to the CJP leaders, some of which they did not answer.Das accused right-wing groups and extremist networks of running campaigns to malign the movement, alleging that the same narrative was now being repeated by a senior minister in the government.“The allegation is baseless. The question of evidence is something we have been raising from day one, even before the first protest took place on June 6. Even before that, we had witnessed the kind of negative campaign being carried out against this movement and this youth-led agitation.”“Our first press conference was held on June 3, and ever since then, we have been asking the same question: What is the basis of your so-called allegation? So far, no evidence or justification has been provided. It has been four to five months, and now the same lie that was being peddled by right-wing groups and extremist networks — whose only job seems to be to run paid campaigns to malign a very credible movement — is being repeated by a senior minister in the government. It is a shame…”
Ashutosh Ranka questions Jitendra Singh
Ranka also challenged the minister over the foreign funding allegations, questioning why government representatives had held discussions with the CJP if the movement was allegedly backed by foreign entities.“Ask Jitendra Singh—ask him: if there was foreign funding involved, why were they shaking hands with us? Why were they negotiating with us? Why were they sitting down and holding talks with us—sharing tea and breakfast? Ask him for an answer to that…Funding from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and America! You ignore all the real issues facing this country and keep falling back on the same tired, worn-out rhetoric ...You have no explanation for why votes are being stolen in this nation.”“Why is this government shielding Gyanesh Kumar? You have no answer as to why exam papers are being leaked, or why there is such high unemployment in this country. Instead, you keep pushing that same 12-year-old, stale agenda—claiming that funding is coming from here or there. Ask Jitendra Singh about this. Why were they shaking hands with us? Why were they sitting with us, having tea and snacks ?”The CJP also posted a response on X, saying, “This is the shameful reality. A Union Minister can say anything and get away with it. This is precisely why even the Words of those occupying the highest chairs hold no Value today.”
CJP leaders questioned for 4 hours, asked around 70 questions
According to police, Das, Ranka and Shinde reached the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden around 11am on Thursday. Their questioning concluded around 3pm.Police sources said around 70 questions were put to them, but the leaders did not respond to some of them.The questioning was conducted by officers of the inspector rank, sources said.Speaking to reporters after leaving the Crime Branch office, Ranka described the questioning as a routine investigation into the October 13 incident and reiterated that the CJP leaders would cooperate with the authorities.The three leaders had earlier been summoned to join the investigation but did not appear on October 22. Ranka had then said they had informed the Crime Branch that they could not attend and were awaiting fresh dates.
What are the Jantar Mantar protest FIRs against CJP leaders?
The questioning relates to two FIRs registered at Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations over the CJP’s October 13 protest at Jantar Mantar. The cases were subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation.The police have alleged that CJP activists entered the denotified protest site through private premises and violated restrictions imposed at the location. The activists had staged a protest and unfurled the national flag at Jantar Mantar.Das and Ranka were detained following the protest and later released on the orders of the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court on October 21 after furnishing personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each.The SEM directed them to appear on every hearing date and comply with the conditions specified in their bonds and written undertakings.The two leaders also undertook not to breach peace or disturb public tranquillity, and not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is denotified in accordance with the law. They further agreed that any future demonstrations would be conducted within the constitutional framework.(With agency inputs)
