Anti-National Tiranga

New Delhi, October 17, 2026: The arrest of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and the detention of other protesters during a march to display the Indian national flag have sparked a debate over freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest in India. It has also raised the question on the use of national flag 'Tricolor' or 'Tiranga' which Delhi Police said was against the flag code of India. 

On Friday, October 16, Dipke was detained by Delhi Police ahead of the “Lehra Do Tiranga” march at Connaught Place. The protest was organised after two CJP activists, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were arrested and sent to five days of judicial custody following a demonstration involving the unfurling of the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar. According to reports, Dipke was subsequently arrested, while All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was also detained.

The march was intended to protest against the arrest of the activists and to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. Government, Election Commission and ruling party BJP again activated their defensive and denial mode instead of accepting the mistakes. These irregularities were reported in many states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of protecting Gyanesh Kumar should engage in a conversation with protesters and opposition on the issue of SIR (Special Intensive Revision).

On the other hand Delhi Police on order of Home Minister Amit Shah has denotified Jantar-Mantar as designated protest site further causing dissatisfaction among protesters on the egoistic approach of the government.Since when peaceful protest has become illegal. We have seen the similar approach on protest earlier by the government during Anti-CAA protest,Farmers Protest, Paper Leak Protest,etc. While the peaceful protesters were detained on 10th October, right wing goons were seen harassing and attacking the protesters in police protection. They were not detained or stopped even when some independent journalist objected to their action. 

Government should learn that police brutality is not the answer to peaceful protest in a democracy. Narendra Modi or his advisors should start engaging with the problems instead of running away or denying them. Removing opposition voters from electoral roll and neglecting many other issues related to common people are also increasing dissatisfaction among their core voters. I hope some sense prevail among government, Delhi Police and Gyanesh Kumar.