Mamata Banerjee Demands Immediate Release of CJP Leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das
Mamata Banerjee calls for the release of CJP leaders, condemning their detention as state-sponsored terrorism amid ongoing protests.
New Delhi, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for the immediate release of Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, leaders of the “Cockroach People’s Party” (CJP). She condemned the extension of their judicial custody in connection with an unauthorized entry incident at Jantar Mantar, labeling it as “state-sponsored terrorism.”
In a post on X, Banerjee accused authorities of targeting youth and detaining them to undermine democracy. She stated, “I can understand the desperate intentions behind the extension of Ashutosh and Saurav’s custody. This is a dangerous virus being used daily to attack democracy. Stop persecuting Gen Z. Those in power today will not remain in power forever. From Kolkata to Delhi and Mumbai, oppression has reached its peak.”
Banerjee drew parallels to historical struggles against colonial rule, asserting that those who stood against oppression did so with resolve and courage. She declared, “This is state-sponsored terrorism. These are police-sponsored atrocities that cannot endure for long.”
She further emphasized that only when determined individuals stand firm to “save India” and “protect democracy” will the arrogant leaders in power open their eyes. “By then, the people will have triumphed, and the murderers of democracy will be eliminated. If you believe in democracy, release Ashutosh and Saurav immediately,” she insisted.
Her comments came after a Special Executive Magistrate extended the judicial custody of Ranka and Das for two more days. The two were presented before the magistrate at the Temple Marg police station after their initial five-day custody expired on Monday. While the Delhi police sought to extend their detention, CJP’s legal head Ratna Singh questioned the necessity of keeping them in custody any longer, arguing that the prosecution had failed to provide legal grounds for their arguments.
Singh took to X, stating, “We are still in SEM court and awaiting the court’s order. There is no reason to extend judicial custody. Today, the government lawyer did not present any legal arguments. All their claims were mere speculation. This is a complete waste of SEM court’s time.”
Describing the entire proceedings as a “waste of time,” Singh demanded the release of both leaders. Ranka and Das were initially detained on October 14 for allegedly entering Jantar Mantar without permission, a site that is no longer recognized for protests.
