‘Act of cowardice’: Jantar Mantar arrests trigger Rahul Gandhi’s first public show of support for CJP

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has criticised the arrest of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das over a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. His statement marks the first public expression of support for the party since its formation, according to reports. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke subsequently thanked Rahul Gandhi.

Over the past few months, the Congress and the CJP have taken similar positions on issues such as question paper leaks and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. However, the two parties had not shared a common platform, with both sides maintaining their distance despite their overlapping demands.

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks came after Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were detained following a protest at Jantar Mantar and remanded to five days of judicial custody. According to reports, the police action followed their alleged crossing of barricades and entry into the protest site, which authorities said was no longer an officially designated venue for demonstrations.

“Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice,” Rahul wrote on X. He said students, youth, journalists and the INDIA bloc shared a common objective despite operating under different banners, adding that citizens were demanding their constitutional rights. 'Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India, and we would reclaim it,' Rahul added.