Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to Tihar Jail under five-day judicial custody in connection with the hoisting of the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar. A political uproar has ensued following the arrest of the two leaders. Several prominent figures—including Rahul Gandhi, Sanjay Singh, Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Yogendra Yadav, and senior advocate Prashant Bhush—have questioned the police action.
The Delhi Police took action against 14 members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). According to the police, on October 13, these members reached the restricted Jantar Mantar area via a private property and obstructed police personnel in the discharge of their duties. Two FIRs were registered at the Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations regarding the incident. The Delhi Police initiated preventive action against Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde. All three were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate. Subsequently, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody, while Ajinkya Shinde was bound down on a personal bond of ₹5,000 to maintain the peace for six months.
Following the decision to send Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to judicial custody, opposition leaders and social activists shared their reactions on the social media platform ‘X’. The central question raised in these reactions was why the youths were jailed for hoisting the Tricolour and chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” at Jantar Mantar. CJP leaders maintain that they had arrived at Jantar Mantar carrying the Indian flag and had raised patriotic slogans. Meanwhile, the police action stems from allegations of violating a peace bond and unauthorized entry into the protest site. These events have sparked a debate regarding protest permissions at Jantar Mantar, the display of the national flag, and the right of citizens to protest.
Rahul Gandhi terms the arrest a “cowardly act”
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, questioned the imprisonment of Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Writing on X, he stated that hoisting the Tricolour during a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar is not a crime, and sending youths to jail for it is a cowardly act. Rahul Gandhi noted that students, the youth, journalists, and the INDIA alliance are raising their voices on the same issue from various platforms; it is a matter of demanding citizens’ constitutional rights. He asserted that Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India and will be reclaimed.
Is waving the Tricolour in one’s own country a crime? – Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party National Convener Arvind Kejriwal has questioned the action taken over the waving of the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar. He said, “Is it a crime to wave one’s own flag in one’s own country? This is absolutely absurd.”
Sanjay Singh asked—Is British rule prevailing in the country?
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking if he was British and whether British rule was in force in India. He alleged that CJP leaders were sent to jail for hoisting the Tricolour and chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. Sanjay Singh also pointed out that the Tricolour had not been hoisted at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters for a long time. Warning the Prime Minister against confronting the youth, he stated that the youth would put an end to the government’s alleged dictatorship.
Atishi said—Situation worse than the Emergency
Atishi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, expressed shock over the two leaders being sent to five days of judicial custody. Writing on the social media platform X, she remarked that sending youths to jail for hoisting the Indian Tricolour was shocking. Comparing the current situation to the Emergency, Atishi stated that conditions were even worse than during that era.
Saurabh Bharadwaj compared 1975 and 2026
AAP’s Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj termed the judicial custody of the two leaders an act of dictatorship. He drew parallels between the 1975 Emergency and the current situation in 2026. Regarding 1975, Bharadwaj cited the controversy surrounding the then Prime Minister’s election, youth and labour movements, the economic crisis, and political instability. Regarding the current situation, he pointed to allegations of electoral irregularities, youth movements, economic slowdown, and questions being raised about foreign policy.
NCP (SP) spokesperson targeted Nitish Kumar
NCP (SP) spokesperson Anish Gavande questioned the judicial custody of Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka and called upon Nitish Kumar to clarify his stance… Gavande alleged that while youths were jailed for five days for hoisting the Tricolour, activists from the Hindu Kranti Dal—who arrived at Connaught Place armed with knives, sticks, and swords—were granted bail that very evening. Drawing a comparison between the two incidents, he questioned the consistency of the action taken. Gavande noted that Nitish Kumar has been associated with student movements and the JP movement; therefore, he should clarify whether he supports the action taken regarding the hoisting of the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar. He also urged the Supreme Court to intervene. He warned that if the government believes such actions will silence the people’s voice, it is mistaken.
