‘We Must Not Become What We Hate’: Abhijeet Dipke Urges Calm After CJP Detentions
CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke calls for peace and compassion following the detention of Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
In the wake of the imprisonment of key activists Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, Abhijeet Dipke of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has issued a stirring plea to his supporters, urging them to maintain their composure and resist the urge to respond to injustice with hatred.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) in a video titled ‘Message to all cockroaches’, Dipke acknowledged the deep distress and turmoil felt by the movement's followers. While he condemned the detentions as "completely unjust," he warned that reacting with anger would play directly into the hands of those attempting to derail the movement.
A Call for Peace and Compassion
Dipke emphasized that the core principles of their struggle—peace, love, and compassion—must remain intact regardless of the provocation. He suggested that the harassment faced by the activists was a calculated move to provoke a hateful response, which would effectively transform the protesters into the very entities they are fighting against.
“We do not have to become what we hate,” Dipke stated. “They harass us specifically to provoke us, so that we turn into people like them and respond with hate. But we will not do that.”
To combat this emotional toll, he advised supporters to lean on their support systems, urging them to surround themselves with family and loved ones to ensure that hatred does not consume them.
The Resilience of Sourav Das
A significant portion of Dipke's message focused on the resilience of Sourav Das. He recounted a touching conversation with Das's mother, who, despite her son's imprisonment, showed immense strength by asking Dipke to ensure the rest of the team took care of themselves.
Dipke highlighted the transformation of Sourav Das, who had previously been mocked by some for being "too privileged" or "soft" due to his habits, such as drinking cold coffee and Starbucks during protests. At Jantar Mantar, Das had even joked that he wouldn't survive a single day in jail.
However, Dipke revealed that Das spent six days in custody and emerged with a smile on his face, showing no fear as he entered the courtroom. This, Dipke asserted, proved that those who dismissed Das as incapable of enduring a hard battle were mistaken.
Acknowledging the True Leadership
While many perceive Dipke as the face of the movement, he used this platform to set the record straight about the internal dynamics of the CJP. He credited Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka as the actual driving forces behind the movement's progress.
Dipke admitted that he had largely been following their lead, citing their superior decision-making skills and capabilities. He clarified that his role was primarily to execute the instructions provided by Das and Ranka, who he believes truly carried the movement forward.
Personal Toll of Detention
The human cost of the detentions was further highlighted by the plight of Ashutosh Ranka. Dipke shared the heartbreaking detail that Ranka's uncle passed away while he was imprisoned, leaving Ranka unable to attend the funeral rites or perform the necessary last duties for his relative.