NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke has mocked the Centre over railway cancellations and the closure of entry and exit gates at 57 Metro stations ahead of the organisation’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, sharing a video in which he and fellow activists Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka are seen laughing about the security measures.In the video, the three appear to be travelling with backpacks and luggage. Dipke takes a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the restrictions, while the group jokes about the disruption to public transport ahead of Saturday’s demonstration.“Abhi humare Vishwa Guru, 56-inch ke maha-manav ji ne railways band kar diye, kyunki kal hum protest karne ja rahe hain,” Dipke says in the video, drawing laughter from the others.He then turns to Saurabh Das and asks what he has to say about the situation. Das responds with a chef’s-kiss gesture, suggesting approval of the measures, before saying, “Modi ji jo mahaul banane ja rahe hain, woh… too good.”Ashutosh Ranka joins in, saying, “Bhai, Modi ji, tabiyat toh theek hai aapki? Dikkat toh nahi ho rahi na zyada?”Dipke then returns to the theme of the restrictions, saying, “Blood pressure check karte raho na time to time. Railways band kar di seedha.”Das compares the measures with the restrictions imposed during the Emergency, saying, “Emergency ke time bhi itna band nahi kiya tha, Indira Gandhi the dictator.”Ranka adds another jibe, saying that while right-wing supporters claim people are not turning up in Delhi, the government has restricted transport ahead of the protest. The remark prompts another round of laughter.“Railway band, Metro band. Sir, blood pressure check karte raho apna,” Dipke says.Das then refers to the closure of entry and exit gates at 57 Metro stations, saying, “57 Metro stations band kar diye hain bhai. Delhi bandh ka elaan kar diya Government of India ne.”Ranka subsequently makes a reference to General Reginald Dyer, the British officer associated with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, as the three continue their exchange.The video ends with Dipke saying, “Koi baat nahi, sir. Kal aa rahe hain hum, kal. Theek hai, see you tomorrow, bye,” reiterating that the group intends to reach Delhi for the protest.
CJP plans protest despite police denial
The CJP has announced a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10 over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and to demand accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Delhi Police has denied permission for the protest, citing the short notice, alleged non-compliance with directions during an earlier demonstration, and concerns over public safety, law and order and traffic management.Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said the police received an application from CJP co-convener Saurav Das on October 7, three days before the proposed demonstration. Police guidelines require such applications to be submitted at least 10 days in advance, she said.Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force in the New Delhi district, and police have warned that violations could invite legal action.
Entry, exit gates at 57 Metro stations to remain closed
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced that entry and exit at 57 Metro stations will remain closed from 9pm on October 9 and continue to remain shut on October 10 until further notice, citing security reasons.However, interchange facilities will remain available at all the affected stations, except New Delhi Metro station, according to the advisory.The restrictions come alongside railway cancellations ahead of the proposed demonstration. Indian Railways has cancelled Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4am and 2pm on October 10.Despite the denial of permission, Dipke has maintained that the protest will go ahead and that CJP activists are prepared to face detention or arrest.“How many people will they detain? Arrest me, detain me! Saurabh is ready, Ashutosh is ready,” he said in an earlier statement.
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