New Delhi, October 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Opposition leaders on Friday expressed support for Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke amid speculation over his possible detention ahead of the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march in central Delhi, saying those participating in the fight to protect democratic rights should be prepared for the consequences.
Delhi Police personnel reached the Jhandewalan residence where Dipke was staying and served him a notice asking him not to attend the march.
Congress leader Udit Raj said detention was not uncommon during political protests and maintained that those participating in movements to defend democracy should be prepared for such situations.
“All of us get detained. LoP Rahul Gandhi also gets detained multiple times. Lakhs of Congress workers get detained. This is a fight to save democracy; one should be prepared for anything,” Raj said.
CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan said the Left would stand alongside protests against the government and what he described as its anti-democratic policies.
He said Left and democratic forces would extend wholehearted support to the ongoing protests, while criticising the extensive use of barricades in the national capital.
“Amit Shah’s police is making New Delhi a city of barricades; everywhere they have put barricades. Not only the Jantar Mantar area,” Sivadasan said.
He also questioned reports of restrictions affecting public spaces and recreational establishments, including parks, cinemas, markets, clubs and tennis clubs.
“How will the government work in such a manner? The protests of the youth will continue, we will raise our voice for our public space,” he said.
Sivadasan added that the Supreme Court would seek to protect constitutional values and reiterated the Left’s support for the movement.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat drew a parallel with the freedom struggle, saying Mahatma Gandhi had also faced detention during protests.
“When Mahatma Gandhi protested, he was detained too; people thought he was spreading anarchy, and that he was breaking the rules,” Bhagat said.
He alleged that the Union government was apprehensive about opposition and claimed that criticism of the government was being portrayed as anti-national.
“They think that any opposition towards the government is against the nation. This happened during the British rule,” he said.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Ram Kadam criticised Dipke and questioned his credibility. Referring to allegations concerning Dipke’s claim that he had not been allowed to speak to his grandmother, Kadam alleged that a subsequent video had exposed the truth.
“The CJP leader is a liar. He said he was not allowed to speak to his grandmother. When his video came out, the entire truth came out. One who can lie about his dead grandmother can lie about anything,” Kadam alleged.
Kadam further claimed that people outside India had alleged that Dipke was receiving foreign funding to organise the protests. He also criticised Dipke’s statements regarding the Tricolour, alleging that his remarks invoked the prospect of bloodshed while referring to the national flag.
The police notice and the competing statements from Opposition and BJP leaders came ahead of the proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march in central Delhi, amid a wider political dispute over protests, public spaces and the handling of dissent.
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