"Jantar Mantar belongs to people of India": Rahul Gandhi slams jailing of activists
Rahul Gandhi calls the jailing of CJP activists for waving the Tricolour an act of cowardice, asserting Jantar Mantar belongs to the people.
Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has strongly criticized the recent detention of activists at Jantar Mantar. He characterized the decision to jail young protesters for waving the national flag during a peaceful demonstration as an "act of cowardice."
"Waving the Tricolour is not a crime"
In a forceful statement shared via his official X handle, Gandhi defended the right to peaceful protest. He emphasized that the act of unfurling the national flag during a demonstration should not be treated as a criminal offense. According to Gandhi, the movement seen at Jantar Mantar is a collective struggle involving students, youth, journalists, and the INDIA bloc.
"Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice. Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights,"Gandhi stated.
The Congress leader further issued a stern warning regarding the sanctity of public spaces, asserting, "Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it."
CJP activists sent to judicial custody
The controversy erupted following the detention of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Party member Ajinkya Shinde confirmed that the two individuals have been sent to five days of judicial custody following their detention during a protest near the landmark.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke expressed outrage over the arrests, questioning the government's motives. He challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show "guts" and officially declare an Emergency rather than using what he described as "cowardly tactics" to crush dissent.
Unified struggle against electoral irregularities
While the CJP remains an independent pressure group and does not intend to merge with any political party, Dipke clarified that their objectives align closely with the INDIA bloc. The CJP is currently agitating against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The core of the agitation involves allegations of electoral irregularities. Dipke claimed that the CJP and the INDIA bloc are fighting the same battle: an opposition to what they perceive as election rigging aimed at helping the current administration retain power. Despite their different organizational structures, the groups remain united by a single cause.