New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march in Delhi’s Connaught Place on Friday, October 16, starting at 5 pm, while across the country, CJP supporters have begun the march.
The demonstration follows the arrests of its leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who waved the flag at Jantar Mantar calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities
LIVE updates:
05:35 pm: AISA chief Neha Bohra detained by Delhi Police on way to ‘Lehra do Tiranga’ protest in Connaught Place.
Pro-Modi slogans raised at Connaught Place
05:23 pm: A few right-wing supporters raised “Modi-Modi” and “Vande Mataram” slogans at Connaught Place during the Tiranga march.
Neha Bora calls for a protest at Mandi House
05:14 pm: All India Students’ Association Neha Bora has called on protesters to join her at Mandi House in Delhi at 5 pm against the CEC and SIR.
Jantar Mantar is not just a site that you can denotify, its a symbol of our resistance! Today all of central Delhi as become Jantar Mantar,” she said.
Delhi Police detain CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke
04:57 pm: CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke was detained as he was leaving the residence of Anish Gawande, NCP(SP) spokesperson. A police official said, “We are placing you under preventive detention. Section 163 is in force in Connaught Place,” as reported by ANI.
A CJP spokesperson said Dipke was detained from outside the residence where he was staying “as soon as he stepped out.”
Protests hit businesses, some days see zero sales: NRAI
04:07 pm: Frequent protests in and around Connaught Place have significantly affected businesses, with some establishments recording zero sales on certain days, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) treasurer Manpreet Singh said, urging protesters to hold demonstrations away from commercial areas.
“People are afraid to come here. They do not want to get involved in a protest or find themselves in a difficult situation,” he said, adding that customers tend to avoid CP when they have other options.
Dipke warned of protest in Connaught Place in notice
03:57 pm: More than 20 Delhi Police personnel turned up at the residence of NCP(SP) spokesperson Ansh Gawande, where Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke is staying, and served him a notice, prohibiting him from holding the protest at Connaught Place. Officers have offered to facilitate a select group of protesters to wave the national flag at an alternative location, PTI said.
CP is a busy commercial hun with limited entry and exit points; the notice stated, adding that a crowd gathering in one circle could quickly obstruct the others, making dispersal and emergency evacuation difficult. “Over 15 lakh traders and their employees depend on its peaceful and orderly functioning for the exercise of their fundamental right,” it read.
Their obstruction could paralyse traffic across central Delhi and cost citizens valuable time.
Announcements, banners, security around Connaught Place as march approaches
03:56 pm: Banners declaring Central Park closed have been placed around Connaught Place amid constant announcements on a loudspeaker that Section 163 BNSS is in place.
03:54 pm: Heavy security has been deployed around Palika Bazar is Delhi, which is near Connaught Place.
03:45 pm: Protesters have begun gathering around Connaught Place as the CJP called for a Tiranga march at Central Park at 5 pm.
Abhijeet Dipke warned against violation of prohibitory orders
03:34 pm: Delhi Police’s notice to Abhijeet Dipke warned him against violating prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, which were declared in the Connaught Place area.
Police cautioned Dipke that while waving the national flag is legal, holding an unauthorized march and gathering a crowd violates restrictions, warning that legal action would follow. The notice said, “Refrain from action prejudicial to the rights of citizens, traders, commuters, others,” PTI reported.
Bengaluru Police deny permission for CJP Tiranga March
03:22 pm: The Bengaluru Police have denied permission for the Tiranga March organised by the CJP, citing a High Court order designating Freedom Park as the site for protests. The march was scheduled to begin at Town Hall here on Friday at 4 pm and conclude at the Quit India Memorial.
Will offer them tea, they are our guests: Anish Gawande to Delhi Police
03:13 pm: After Delhi Police served a notice to Abhijeet Dipke at NCP(SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande’s house, Gawande stated that the police were his guests and that he would serve them tea
“I have just learnt that the police have come to my house. I was out for lunch. We have guests (referring to the police) here, so I will offer them tea and ask why they have come. I do not know why the police have come yet,” he said.
Dhruv Rathee not arrested, says UP Police
03:09 pm: Noida Police has issued a statement clarifying that social media influencer Dhruv Rathee has not been arrested.
“Some social media handles are circulating information/posts regarding the arrest of Dhruv Rathee by Noida Police. The said information is completely false, misleading, and baseless. Noida Police has not arrested Dhruv Rathee in any manner,” the statement read.
CJP movement orchestrated by Elon Musk
02:56 pm: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader alleged that tech mogul Elon Musk is orchestrating the CJP ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march, claiming that it was a conspiracy against India.
“This entire movement is being orchestrated at his (Elon Musk) behest. It is a massive conspiracy against our nation,” said Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. “It is a massive conspiracy against our nation.”
BJP to launch nationwide counter-campaign
02:52 pm: The BJP is preparing to launch a nationwide campaign next week to counter what it describes as misleading claims by the Congress party regarding SIR and the ECI.
BJP aims to present facts to the public and address questions and allegations raised by the opposition concerning the SIR exercise.
Delhi Police leave Dipke’s accommodation
02:30 pm: Delhi Police left Anish Gwande’s house, where the CJP founder is residing, after serving him a notice.
02:28 pm: Dipke claims Delhi Police’s notice accuses him of attempting to reach Jantar Mantar and incite violence.
02:19 pm: Visuals from inside Dipke’s house.
02:16 pm: Delhi Police has served a notice to Dipke, barring him from holding the protest, news agency PTI has reported. A live video uploaded by CJP on Instagram shows Dipke being instructed to sign a document.
02:00 pm: Delhi Police has arrived in Jhandewalan to meet Abhijeet Dipke, who is residing at NCP(SP) Anish Gwande’s house. According to visuals from the residence, Dipke is seen holding the national flag while an officer sits beside him.
Congress claims Amit Shah briefs media channels ‘off the record’
01:58 pm: Congress leader and spokesperson Pawan Khera has alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was hosting media channels and briefing them “off the record.”
SFI holds protest march in Bihar against CEC
01:56 pm: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) held a protest march in Patna, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar resign.
Press Council issues safety guidelines for journalists
01:50 pm: The Press Council of India has issued a list of safety guidelines for journalists covering protests, directing them to carry with them ID cards, first-aid kits, plan escape routes and follow ethical reporting.
West Bengal minister accuses CJP of disrupting Navratri, Durga Puja
01:47 pm: West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh accused the CJP of disrupting festive celebrations by organising a Tiranga march in Delhi during Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations, alleging that political protests at this time were creating tension in the country.
“India is a religious country. According to its traditions, Navratri and Durga Puja are celebrated across the country. By holding political protests, they are disrupting people’s celebrations and spreading tension in the country. The public will hold them accountable,” Ghosh added.
AAP takes out Tiranga Yatra with 200-ft national flag
01:30 pm: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have taken out a Tiranga Yatra in Delhi with a 200 feet national flag. Criticising the government, AAP Delhi leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said, “It is sheer madness that they are saying we cannot unfurl the Tricolour in India! This is a free country, and the very meaning of freedom is that any citizen can hoist the Indian tricolour anywhere.”
Inquilaab zindabad slogans raised at Azad Maidan
01:27 pm: Protesters were heard raising slogans at the ‘Lehra do Tiranga’ demonstrations at Azad Maidan in Mumbai
They were heard chanting “Gyanesh tumko jaana hoga” (Gyanesh you will have to go), “vote chore gaddi chor” and “Inquilab Zindabad.”
Police stationed around my house: Anish Gwande
01:23 pm: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Anish Gwande said it was “almost bemusing” that police were stationed around his house, where CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke is also residing.
“These police personnel should be protecting the people of New Delhi from rising crime, but instead, their presence is a symptom of a government that is afraid and does not know how to tolerate dissent,” he said.
Businesses suffer when govt chooses to shut down an entire city: Dipke
12:53 pm: Abhijeet Dipke has responded to concerns that businesses in Connaught Place are being impacted due to the ongoing protests.
“Businesses do not suffer because of peaceful protests. They suffer when the govt decides to shut down an entire city, suspend internet services and restrict the movement of its own citizens and turn the city into a war-zone.”
He reiterated that since its inception, CJP has followed Gandhi’s path of peace and non-violence, “and we have stood by that commitment.”
Sanjay Raut has to explain his conduct, says SC
12:20 pm: Sanjay Raut will have to explain his conduct, the Supreme Court said while issuing notice to the Election Commission and its chief Gyanesh Kumar over a plea by the Shiv Sena-UBT leader and 12 others, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, over alleged SIR irregularities.
Raut is one of the co-petitioners among the 13 petitioners in the plea filed by Gandhi.
Senior advocate quits seven Delhi protest cases in SC
12:16 pm: Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan has withdrawn from seven Supreme Court matters concerning the Delhi protests, after repeated interruptions and the alleged snatching of his microphone during the hearing on Thursday, October 15.
He confirmed his decision to Bar & Bench, citing courtroom decorum. “The bench failed to control the court,” he said, adding that the dignity of the court matters more. Sources told the outlet that another lawyer on the same side allegedly snatched the microphone as he sought to make further submissions, after which he walked out before the proceedings ended.
At the same hearing, the court issued notices to the Centre and Delhi Police in several petitions and directed law enforcement agencies to preserve CCTV footage and other digital evidence.
Hope better sense prevails: SC refuses urgent hearing on Central Park closure
11:38 am: The Supreme Court on Friday refused an urgent hearing on a plea against the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) order shutting Central Park in Connaught Place, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called a protest.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said it hoped “better sense will prevail on everyone,” adding that small shopkeepers earn their livelihood during the festive days.
The plea’s lawyer told the court that the NDMC issued the closure directions late Thursday night, effectively halting trade. Justice Bagchi said the court would use its constitutional powers if businesses suffer losses, adding, “Let’s cross that bridge when it comes,” and the bench indicated the plea may be listed on October 26 or 27.
Protest begins at Azad Maidan
11:00 am: GenZ joins CJP Tiranga rally protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidaan.
Connaught Place deserted before Tiranga rally
10:53 am: Ahead of the CJP’s Tiranga rally, Delhi’s Connaught Place was found deserted with heavy police deployment.
6,000 Delhi Police personnel, 220 CAPF
10:45 am: More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed across the New Delhi area ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Central Park in Connaught Place. More than 10 new CCTV cameras have been installed in and around Central Park and Rajiv Chowk.
Delhi Police spokesperson Neha Yadav said the march has not been granted permission and that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are in force in the area. She said police could allow a select group of protesters to hold a flag march at another spot, and warned of action against anyone violating the orders. Market associations in Connaught Place have sought protection for their establishments, police said.
Commuters advised to avoid roads from 3 pm
8:00 am: Delhi Traffic Police have advised commuters to avoid roads in and around Connaught Place from 3 pm onwards on Friday, in view of the CJP’s proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Central Park. Affected stretches include Sansad Marg, Barakhamba Road, Janpath, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Mandi House, Tilak Marg and Ashok Road, among others. Dynamic diversions will be put in place depending on the situation, and commuters have been asked to allow extra travel time and use public transport.
NMDC shuts Central Park, Mumbai Police permits protest at Azad Maidan
Ahead of the protest, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has shut Central Park in Connaught Place to the public for two days, while in Mumbai, police have allowed a rally at Azad Maidan.
Azad Maidan is a designated protest site, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Manish Kalwaniya said the organisers confirmed the protest will take place only at that venue between 11 am and 5 pm.
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