"De-notification of democracy": CJP slams Centre over Jantar Mantar ban
CJP activists slam the Centre and Delhi Police for de-notifying Jantar Mantar as a protest site, calling it an assault on democracy.
In a stinging rebuke of the Central government and the Delhi Police, activists from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have labeled the removal of Jantar Mantar as an authorized demonstration site as a "de-notification of democracy itself." The outcry follows a crackdown where several activists were detained during an attempt to gather at the iconic location.
The tension escalated when Delhi Police detained CJP activist Saurav Das, along with Ashutosh Ranka and 12 others, from Jantar Mantar. The group was reportedly taken to the Jaffarpur Kalan police station, according to their legal counsel.
"Public spaces belong to all citizens"
Addressing a press conference, CJP activist Mehr Parsicha argued that the state is attempting to commandeer public spaces to silence those who disagree with the government. She emphasized that Jantar Mantar is a symbol that belongs to the people, not to any single individual or authority.
"The Cockroaches have shown that this country does not belong to just one person. Jantar Mantar does not belong to one individual; Jantar Mantar belongs to all of us," Parsicha stated, asserting that the government cannot simply snatch away fundamental rights.
Questioning massive security deployment
Parsicha raised sharp questions regarding the heavy security presence currently saturating Central Delhi. She noted that the area has been transformed into a virtual fortress, with massive paramilitary and police forces deployed to prevent peaceful gatherings.
She questioned the logic behind such a significant mobilization of resources, asking: "Do our armed forces—50,000 of them—have nothing better to do than guard a protest site against a peaceful gathering?"
The activist suggested that the authorities are intentionally trying to push dissenting voices away from the heart of the capital's power corridors. In a sarcastic remark, she suggested that if the government wants to move protests further away, they might as well move them to the mountains or remote parts of Punjab.
Allegations of political directives
The CJP activists claimed they attempted to follow official protocols by approaching the local police station. They stated they were willing to comply with the requirement of a 10-day prior notice and requested a specific date to hold their demonstration.
However, Parsicha alleged that no senior police officials, including the ACP or SHO, were available to meet with them. She claimed that a press release announcing the de-notification of Jantar Mantar was issued just 30 minutes after their group left the station.
Directly accusing the top leadership of the Central government, Parsicha alleged that the Delhi Police is acting under political orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs. She pointedly named the top leadership, alleging that decisions to strip citizens of iconic protest sites are being made at the highest levels of power.