New Delhi, Oct 14: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticised the Narendra Modi government after Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody. Gandhi said that waving the national flag during a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar is not a crime and described the jailing of young protesters as an act of cowardice.
In a statement, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha emphasised the importance of constitutional rights and the freedom to protest peacefully. He also declared that Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India and asserted that it would be reclaimed as a protest venue.
Rahul Gandhi Backs Right to Peaceful Protest
Rahul Gandhi said that students, young people, journalists and opposition parties were raising their voices for constitutional rights through different protests.
He argued that peacefully waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar should not lead to the imprisonment of young people. His remarks came amid growing controversy over restrictions on protests at the designated protest site in New Delhi.
Gandhi’s statement has brought renewed attention to the right to peaceful assembly and the restrictions imposed on public demonstrations.
CJP Leaders Sent to Five-Day Judicial Custody
Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail after allegedly violating their peace bonds and entering the restricted Jantar Mantar area without authorisation, according to police.
Their associate, Ajinkya Shinde, was released after being directed to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months. Police said he was released on a personal bond and a surety of Rs 5,000.
All three were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate on Wednesday morning.
Why Were the CJP Leaders Detained?
According to police, the three leaders were detained early Tuesday after allegedly breaching barricades and entering the Jantar Mantar area without permission.
They allegedly raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and erected a national flag at the site.
The leaders were booked under charges that included trespassing, violating prohibitory orders, breaching peace bonds and obstructing a public servant from performing official duties, sources said.
Police also stated that Das and Ranka had signed bonds to maintain peace for one year following their detention on Saturday.
Jantar Mantar Protest Row Sparks Political Debate
The detention of the CJP leaders and Rahul Gandhi’s subsequent remarks have brought the issue of access to Jantar Mantar back into the political spotlight.
While Gandhi has defended the right of citizens to protest peacefully, police have cited alleged violations of restrictions and peace bonds in the case.
The incident has renewed debate over the balance between maintaining public order and protecting citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
