Politics
CJP Founder Dipke Spends Diwali Night at Airport After Kochi Protest
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Sunday that he spent a sleepless night at an airport while waiting for a delayed connecting flight after returning from a protest in Kochi. Dipke had attended a CJP protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the SIR process on Saturday. He responded to a post by Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson Anish Gawande on X, who had praised Diwali airport visits. Dipke replied that he was "sleep‑deprived" and trying to get home before his mother would scold him for missing Diwali. He posted on X and shared an Instagram story with pictures of a flight and an auto ride, noting delayed flights and his attempt to get home on time for Diwali. He also wished followers a peaceful, "kalesh‑free" Diwali.
The CJP protest on Saturday at Rajendra Maidan drew a large crowd, according to PTI. Dipke reiterated his demand for an independent and impartial electoral system. He was granted conditional bail last month after a brief detention for attempting to stage a Tiranga rally near Connaught Place in Delhi. CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were also arrested around the same time for breaching Jantar Mantar, a de‑notified protest site, but were later released by a Special Executive Magistrate.
The protest followed a report by The Indian Express that election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected on record at least 14 times in 10 months to decisions on the SIR of electoral rolls issued without their knowledge or recommendation. The INDIA bloc and the CJP demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission of India told the Supreme Court that all SIR decisions were taken unanimously by its three members, rejecting allegations of unilateral action by CEC Kumar.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Dipke spend a sleepless night at the airport?
He was waiting for a delayed connecting flight after returning from a protest in Kochi, hoping to get home before his mother scolded him for missing Diwali.
What was the protest about?
The CJP protest in Kochi was against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the SIR process, demanding his resignation.
What legal actions have been taken against CJP leaders?
Dipke was granted conditional bail after brief detention for attempting a Tiranga rally near Connaught Place; other leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were arrested for breaching Jantar Mantar but later released.