CJP activists Dipke, Ratna Singh claim they have been detained on day of protest, say "this is dictatorship"
Activists Abhijeet Dipke and Ratna Singh claim illegal detention by Delhi Police ahead of protests against the Election Commission.
Delhi — In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the national capital, activists associated with the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) have alleged they were subjected to "dictatorial" tactics by the Delhi Police during a massive crackdown ahead of planned protests against the Election Commission.
The crackdown, which saw hundreds of individuals picked up by authorities, has sparked intense debate over the legality of the detentions. Activists claim that police moved to intercept them even before they could reach the protest sites, with some alleging arrests were made directly from aircraft and private vehicles without proper legal sanction.
"Not Even Indira Gandhi Did This": Activist Arrested on Flight
One of the most striking incidents involved Abhijeet Dipke, a CJP activist who was traveling from Mumbai to Delhi specifically to participate in the demonstration. In a video posted to social media, Dipke captured the moment Delhi Police officers boarded his aircraft immediately upon landing.
"You can see that Delhi Police is entering the plane to arrest us. We just landed. All the Delhi Police officers are standing in the aisle," Dipke said in the video, expressing outrage at the method of his apprehension. He went on to compare the current administration's actions to the Emergency era, stating, "This is the fear of Narendra Modi... Not even Indira Gandhi did this during the Emergency. All we wanted to do is a peaceful protest, and they are picking us up from the flight like we are criminals."
Dipke continued to challenge the officers, shouting, "This is dictatorship... Come on, arrest us. We are here to be arrested. We are not afraid of you."
Legal Head Claims Illegal Roadside Detention
The CJP also released footage of its legal head, Ratna Singh, who described a chaotic scene at her residence. Singh claimed that police arrived at her home early in the morning, demanding her detention without providing any official written notification or legal documentation.
"They came to my house in the morning and were told that I am not here. We asked for official notification, do they have some? They have nothing. They just said, 'We need to detain you, we have orders from above,'" Singh alleged. She further claimed that the police attempted to prevent her from leaving her vehicle, stating, "They don't even want to take me anywhere else, they want me to stay here only... I am in a way illegally detained on the road."
The CJP organization further alleged that prominent content creator Dhruv Rathee had also been detained, characterizing the government's actions as a fear of young people who question authority.
Delhi Police Deploy Massive Security Grid
Responding to the situation, the Delhi Police confirmed a large-scale operation aimed at preventing unrest. According to official statements, the police have detained approximately 500 individuals who arrived in groups from various parts of the country. Additionally, nearly 50 people with known criminal antecedents were apprehended as a preventive measure.
Key Security Measures Implemented:
- Zonal Division: The New Delhi district has been split into 20 operational zones, each with its own dedicated detention centre.
- Metro Closures: 46 Metro stations have been closed to manage the movement of crowds and prevent congestion.
- Barricading: Extensive barricading and tight security have been established around Jantar Mantar and Sansad Marg.
- Heightened Entry Points: All major entry points to the national capital are under strict surveillance.
The police maintained that these measures were necessary to ensure public order and to prevent a recurrence of the unrest witnessed during previous demonstrations in July. While the authorities frame the actions as necessary preventive policing, the CJP and its supporters continue to decry the move as an assault on the fundamental right to peaceful protest.