CJP Issues 24‑Hour Ultimatum Over Jantar Mantar Protest Permission

On Monday, the Cockroach Janata Party – a name that raises eyebrows as much as its demands – marched up to the Parliament Street police station and handed the Delhi Police a stark, 24‑hour deadline. The party wants the authorities to confirm a date for a peaceful rally at Jantar Mantar, the iconic protest venue, and is refusing to wait any longer.

Co‑convener Ashutosh Ranka, speaking to a cluster of reporters, said, “Jantar Mantar is the designated site for our demonstration. Tell us in the next 24 hours when we can hold it, or we’ll have to consider our next step.” He added, with a hint of impatience, that the party would announce its “next call” if the police remained silent.

Party activist Saurav Das echoed the sentiment, noting that the CJP was ready to let the police pick the exact date and time. “We are giving you the choice – let us know within a day how we proceed. Otherwise, we’ll decide ourselves,” he told the media.

The demand comes against a backdrop of mounting pressure on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition groups have been vocal about alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and the CJP has positioned its Jantar Mantar protest as a flagship campaign demanding Kumar’s resignation.

Delhi Police, for its part, rejected the party’s request, citing the short notice. An official statement pointed out that the request arrived on October 7 – a mere three days before the proposed protest – whereas the law requires at least ten days’ notice. The police also warned of past incidents involving traffic snarls, public safety concerns, and “law‑and‑order” disruptions during similar gatherings.

Adding another layer of tension, the Supreme Court has recently reminded authorities that peaceful, unarmed protesters cannot be arbitrarily detained. Yet, the capital’s security apparatus has continued a heavy‑handed approach. Earlier this week, around 41,000 security personnel were deployed across Delhi, and several CJP leaders – including founder Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Saurav Das – were briefly detained after arriving at the airport on October 10. An executive magistrate later ordered their release within 24 hours.

Critics argue that the police’s stance threatens democratic expression, while the CJP maintains that it seeks only a lawful, orderly protest. Whether the deadline will be met or the standoff will flare into further confrontations remains to be seen.