Abhijit Dipke Ready to Face Arrest for Flying the National Flag

New Delhi, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : Abhijit Dipke, the national convenor and founder of the Cockroach People’s Party (CJP), raised concerns on Friday regarding police restrictions on the peaceful display of the Indian national flag. Speaking alongside CJP’s legal head, Ratna Singh, Dipke questioned why citizens demanding electoral accountability face government surveillance and detention.

During a press conference in Jhandewalan, Dipke expressed his readiness to be arrested for flying the tricolor. “The Delhi police can pick me up anytime. If it means going to jail for displaying the national flag, we are prepared for that,” he stated.

In response to a planned protest on October 10, the government took extensive measures, shutting down public transport across Delhi and erecting barricades. Following the announcement of a “Lahra Do Tiranga” march on October 16 at Central Park in Connaught Place, authorities decided to close the park entirely.

Dipke emphasized the peaceful nature of the campaign, which draws inspiration from the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. “We believe in peace and non-violence. We are simply asking for accountability,” he asserted.

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he declared, “We are not afraid of you. I am sitting here; come and arrest me. If it means going to jail for flying our national flag, we will do it.”

He questioned whether the administration would close down 100 or 1,000 locations if citizens announced plans to display the flag nationwide. Dipke also challenged the notion that only 11 people would be allowed to fly the flag, asking who decides such limitations. “The tricolor belongs to all 1.4 billion Indians. It is a symbol of pride for every citizen,” he remarked.

He noted that Ashutosh and Saurabh had been detained and sent to judicial custody for waving the flag. Dipke referred to a video where a police officer told CJP’s National Media Lead, Vijay Malangi, and a colleague that they could not record a video with the flag outside Central Park.

Dipke criticized the current situation, describing it as an “emergency” and accused the central government of avoiding a formal declaration to protect its image. He reiterated demands for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the appointment of an independent and impartial successor, citing alleged electoral manipulation.

Ratna Singh, addressing reporters, confirmed that the legal team had completed all necessary procedures for the release of Ashutosh and Saurabh but faced deliberate delays. She condemned the detentions as unlawful and stated that the CJP would challenge these actions in court, including the higher judiciary.

Dipke announced that on October 16 at 5 PM, citizens will peacefully march towards Central Park with the national flag in hand.