Delhi Police served a notice on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on October 16, 2026, barring him from holding a proposed protest at Connaught Place in New Delhi. The action came ahead of the party’s planned ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march, scheduled for 5 p.m. at Central Park.
According to The Hindu’s live coverage, more than 20 police personnel visited Dipke’s residence in Karol Bagh to deliver the notice. Police had denied permission for the march, citing prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The developments have renewed debate over public demonstrations, restrictions on assemblies and the right to peaceful political protest.
Police Tighten Security Around Connaught Place
Authorities said prohibitory orders were in force in Connaught Place and adjoining areas and urged the public to stay away from unauthorised gatherings.
More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were reportedly deployed in the New Delhi area. Police also indicated that a limited number of people could be facilitated to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable location.
The Delhi High Court, according to the live updates, refused to restrain the CJP’s October 16 protest. Central Park was also reported closed for two days ahead of the proposed march.
Abhijeet Dipke Defends Peaceful Protests
Dipke defended the right to demonstrate peacefully, arguing that questioning public officials and demanding accountability are fundamental expressions of democracy.
In a statement posted on X, he said his party preferred constitutional methods of protest over physical confrontation. He also accused those in power of applying different standards to demonstrations depending on whether they were in opposition or government.
His remarks came amid political disagreement over the proposed march and the restrictions imposed by authorities.
AAP Organises Separate Tiranga March
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a separate Tiranga march on North Avenue near Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. The event was led by Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj, with party workers carrying the national flag in the presence of police.
Bharadwaj argued that the government and police could not dictate where citizens could unfurl the national flag.
The separate march added another political dimension to the day’s demonstrations in the capital.
Political Reactions Intensify
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh criticised the CJP’s planned march, alleging that organising a political protest during Navratri and Durga Puja could disrupt celebrations and create tension.
Separately, the Congress alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had briefed media editors off the record amid questions concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This was a claim made by the opposition party and was not independently established in the supplied report.
Debate Over Protest Rights and Public Order
The developments highlight the continuing tension between authorities’ responsibility to maintain public order and citizens’ ability to assemble and express political views.
The Committee to Protect Journalists also reportedly raised concerns about journalists being detained in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Pune and Mumbai, despite assurances given to the Supreme Court that journalists and lawyers would not be impeded. The supplied excerpt does not provide details of each detention or the authorities’ responses.
Further developments will depend on police decisions, any subsequent court proceedings and whether demonstrations proceed at approved locations.