"Waving our own flag a crime?": Opposition unites behind CJP activists
Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal slam the Centre after CJP activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were jailed for flag protests.
A massive political storm has erupted across India as opposition leaders joined forces to condemn the judicial remand of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The two activists were sent to five days of judicial custody following a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, an act that has sparked a fierce debate over whether displaying the national tricolour has become a punishable offence.
"Absolutely Ridiculous": Arvind Kejriwal Slams Police Action
The controversy ignited after the activists were detained during a peaceful protest. Taking to social media, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal expressed his disbelief at the government's stance. The former Delhi Chief Minister questioned the very foundation of the arrests, asking if simply waving the national flag in one's own nation could now be considered a criminal act.
Rahul Gandhi Calls Arrests an "Act of Cowardice"
Leading the charge for the INDIA bloc, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi did not mince his words. He described the decision to place the activists in judicial custody as an "act of cowardice." Gandhi emphasised that peaceful protests involving the tricolour are a fundamental right of the citizens.
"Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights," Gandhi posted, adding that Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India and vowed to reclaim it.
Stalin and Thackeray Warn of Public Backlash
The outcry has spread across regional lines, with heavyweights from the South and Maharashtra weighing in:
- MK Stalin: The DMK President warned that the government's attempt to silence young voices would backfire. He stated that jailing protesters would only drive ordinary, non-political citizens to the streets. He further pledged that the DMK would provide full legal representation to Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.
- Aaditya Thackeray: The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader framed the incident as a battle between a "regime" and "patriotic youth," asserting that the fight would continue until democracy is reclaimed from what he termed a dictatorship.
The CJP Stands Firm
Despite the legal setback, the Cockroach Janata Party remains defiant. Party member Ajinkya Shinde confirmed the five-day judicial custody of Das and Ranka but insisted that the activists would not be intimidated by the state's actions. The incident has now become a symbol of the larger struggle for constitutional rights and the freedom to protest in the national capital.