New Delhi, Oct 16: Hundreds of CJP supporters and members of student organisations carrying the national flag held a series of flash protests in central Delhi’s Connaught Place and Mandi House on Friday evening amid heavy police deployment.
The protesters walked through the inner circle of Connaught Place, intermittently raising the slogan of ‘Jai Hind’ before dispersing and regrouping at different spots. Some also sang the national anthem.
Students and members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) protested at Mandi House, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and withdrawal of the 2023 Election Commissioner Appointment Act.
Minor altercations broke out between the protesters and police as the latter attempted to disperse the crowd.
The protests were held in response to the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) call for a ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march, which was scheduled to be held at Central Park in Connaught Place at 5 pm.
Police, however, did not grant permission for the march, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which bar mass gatherings in Connaught Place and adjoining areas.
Central Park has been closed to the public on Friday and Saturday.
Earlier, Delhi Police team reached Dipke’s residence in the Jhandewalan area to serve him a notice stating that no permission has been given for the ‘Tiranga Assembly’, called by him at the Central Park in Connaught Place at 5 p.m. on Friday.
According to officials, the notice states that prohibitory orders of Section 163 of the BNSS are in effect in Connaught Place (CP).
Cong seeking B’desh-like regime change: Rajnath
Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday lashed out at the Congress and its allies over the protests in the national capital, accusing them of seeking a regime change along the lines of Bangladesh and using the energy of youth to spread “anarchy”.
Singh asserted that democracy does not give anyone the licence to create disorder or undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions. The narrative of the Modi government has become clear to the entire country that it only talks about the past and the future, he said.
Congress attacks BJP over “regime change” charge
The Congress on Friday hit back at the BJP over its “regime change” charge, saying the ruling party needs to be reminded of former president Pranab Mukherjee’s statement that the job of the opposition in a democracy is to oppose, expose and depose.
The opposition party said it categorically rejects any unconstitutional seizure of power as it believes in peaceful democratic mobilisation, constitutional institutions, free and fair elections and the sovereign will of the Indian people.
AAP holds ‘Tiranga’ march near Rashtrapati Bhavan
The AAP held a Tiranga march near Rashtrapati Bhavan and its headquarters in Central Delhi on Friday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Holding tricolours, scores of party workers marched outside their office on Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Lane, raising slogans such as “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”. (Agencies)