Full Breakdown
Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP)’s “Lehra Do Tiranga” March Faces Tight Security and Legal Restrictions in Delhi
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 16 2026 the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) called for a “Lehra Do Tiranga” (Wave the Tricolour) march at Central Park in Connaught Place, Delhi, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Participants were urged to carry the national flag. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) ordered the park closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for “administrative reasons.” Delhi Police cited prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), stating that no permission had been granted for a mass gathering and warning that violations would attract legal action.
Background & Context
The march is part of a nationwide “Lehra Do Tiranga” campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Earlier arrests of CJP co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka for entering the de-notified Jantar Mantar site and unfurling the flag on October 13 intensified the standoff with Delhi authorities.
Timeline
- Oct 2 2026 – CJP’s agitation begins in Mumbai and later moves to Delhi.
- Oct 10 2026 – CJP leaders detained ahead of a planned Jantar Mantar protest.
- Oct 11 2026 – Delhi Police designate Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as approved protest venues.
- Oct 13 2026 – Das and Ranka arrested for trespassing Jantar Mantar.
- Oct 14 2026 – Das and Ranka remanded to five-day judicial custody.
- Oct 15 2026 – Police reaffirm prohibitory orders in Connaught Place.
- Oct 16 2026 – Planned Tiranga march; police deploy extensive security, serve a notice to CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, and close Central Park.
- Oct 17 2026 – Central Park remains closed.
- Oct 26 2026 (scheduled) – Supreme Court hearing on a traders’ plea challenging the park closure.
Official Statements & Responses
Delhi Police PRO Neha Yadav said prohibitory orders under Section 163 barred any unpermitted assembly and that the force could facilitate a “select group” to wave the flag at a suitable location. The NDMC’s closure notice cited “administrative reasons” without elaborating on security concerns.
Criticism & Opposition
The New Delhi Traders Association warned that the park shutdown would impact small shopkeepers during the festive season and urged the government to protect commercial activity. Anish Gawande, spokesperson for the Nationalist Congress Party, described the police deployment around Dipke’s residence as “frankly quite amusing” and suggested resources would be better used for women’s safety. Justice Bagchi cautioned that any loss of business could trigger constitutional jurisdiction.
On-the-Ground Reports
Participants such as Udit (Ghaziabad) and Yasira (Gurgaon) were photographed carrying the Tricolour outside Palika Bazaar, chanting slogans like “Hum Honge Kamyab” and questioning the government’s silence on issues such as the Manipur conflict.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
CJP officials claim the march was a peaceful flag-hoisting event, yet Delhi Police maintain that no permission was granted and that the gathering would violate Section 163. Reported deployment figures vary, with some sources citing “over 6,000” personnel while others mention “around 25,000” across shifts. The precise number of participants remains unverified.