‘I will not be cowed down’: Abhijeet Dipke ahead of Delhi protest seeking CEC’s resignation | WATCH

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has vowed to go ahead with a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, saying he is prepared to face arrest or action under stringent laws as he called on people to join the demonstration demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

In a video message released late Friday, Dipke urged supporters to turn up in large numbers for Saturday’s protest, insisting that the possibility of his detention should not disrupt the planned demonstration.

“Tomorrow is our march. I don't know what will happen to me, whether I will be arrested from the airport or will be later arrested,” he said.

Declaring that he would not be deterred, Dipke added, “I will not be cowed down because we want to save the democracy in the country. I am not scared even if I am detained. The government can slap us with NSA or UAPA.”

The National Security Act (NSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) are stringent laws that Dipke referred to while expressing his readiness to face possible legal action.

Why is the CJP demanding the CEC’s resignation?

Dipke said the party’s demand for free and fair elections could not be fulfilled without Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, or the introduction of a neutral procedure for appointing election commissioners.

The party has called for public participation in the protest, with Dipke asking people to gather at Jantar Mantar in large numbers.

“Come to Jantar Mantar in large numbers,” he said, urging participants to ensure that the march remained peaceful.

Dipke calls for non-violent protest

While calling for a strong turnout, the CJP founder stressed that the demonstration should follow the path of non-violence. He also warned that anti-social elements could attempt to infiltrate the protest.

His appeal comes ahead of the planned march, with Dipke making it clear that the possibility of detention or the invocation of stringent laws would not change his position.

The protest is centred on the party’s demand for the CEC’s resignation and changes concerning the SIR process or the procedure for appointing election commissioners.

With PTI inputs