CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka And Saurav Das Address Media After Release: “October 10 Is Beginning Of End Of Dictatorship, We Won’t Stop Till CEC Gyanesh Kumar Resigns”
New Delhi, Oct 11: Hours after being released by the Special Executive Magistrate Court, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das addressed the media at Press Club of India, launching a sharp attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Delhi Police and Election Commission of India.
The duo, along with founder Abhijeet Dipke, was detained inside the aircraft at Palam Airport on Saturday morning before the Jantar Mantar protest. They were released on Sunday afternoon after Supreme Court’s intervention
Addressing the Press conference Saurav Das said, “We were not terrorists. Senior IPS officers entered the plane at Palam, pulled us out like criminals without warrant. For 12 hours our families didn’t know where we were, lawyers were denied access. Is this democracy? We were going for a peaceful protest at designated site Jantar Mantar, our constitutional right under Article 19.”
Ashutosh Ranka said, “They can detain our body, not our idea. The way 22,000 police, RAF, ITBP were deployed, 45 metro stations closed, internet shut in 4 km, entire New Delhi turned into cantonment – it shows how scared the government is of Gen Z asking questions about 13 crore deleted votes.”
“The CEC is not God. He is a public servant. Under his stewardship 13.3 crore voters have been deprived of voting right through SIR. We have proof. Rahul Gandhi showed 100% proof in press conference. If ECI is neutral, why is it scared of affidavit and investigation? Why is BJP defending CEC? Gyanesh Kumar must resign. 2023 law giving immunity to CEC and two Election Commissioners must be repealed,” said Das.
Ranka said, “We call him the biggest traitor because he is killing democracy. Our demand is non-negotiable: resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, stop SIR forthwith, restore 13.3 crore voters, bring back paper ballot.”
“We strongly condemn manhandling of college girls, female journalists including Rosy whose video went viral, elderly journalists like Paranjoy Guha Thakurta (71). Hundreds of pictures show police lifting girls like animals, tearing clothes, sexually assaulting. One FIR not lodged till now. Is this custodian of law or agent of ruling party?” Ranka asked.
They demanded judicial inquiry into Oct 10 police action and suspension of officers involved in assault on women.
Das said, “For first time we saw criminals claiming to be Hindu Raksha Dal openly thrashing our girls saying ‘we have come to protect police’. Where was Delhi Police then? Police arrested 4 only after journalists made video viral. This is state-sponsored goondaism to defame peaceful movement.”
Both welcomed Supreme Court’s Sunday order of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directing removal of all barricades, no internet shutdown, normal metro, no illegal detention of peaceful unarmed persons.
“Supreme Court has upheld our right. Court said normal movement must be restored. Contempt notice to Police Commissioner, Home Secretary, DMRC shows police violated earlier order. We thank SCBA, SCAORA, CJI Suryakant who intervened to release lawyers,” Das said.
CJP announced that protest will continue. National Organisation In-charge Ajinkya Shinde had already called fresh protest at Jantar Mantar at 10 am on Sunday.
Ranka said, “October 10 will be remembered as beginning of end of what we call dictatorship. We will not back down nor be intimidated. As Dipke said, cockroaches from across India will march to Delhi till CEC resigns. Wherever police stops us will become our Jantar Mantar. Next we will go to Supreme Court with all evidence of SIR.”
The press conference ended with slogans: “CEC Istifa Do, Vote Chori Band Karo, 13 Crore Voters Ko Bahal Karo.”
The Delhi Police and ECI have not yet officially reacted to today’s briefing.
