CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Vows to Hoist Tricolour at Delhi’s Central Park

Police have deployed more than 6,000 personnel, installed CCTV cameras and erected barricades around Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi, ahead of a planned Tricolour-hoisting demonstration by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on October 16. Dipke has insisted that he will hoist the national flag at the park despite the security restrictions and the possibility of arrest.
A large number of CCTV cameras have also been installed at Central Park and in the surrounding areas to monitor crowds and collect evidence in the event of any untoward incident.
Dipke has said he will hoist the Tricolour at Central Park on October 16 under all circumstances. Questioning the need for permission to hoist the national flag, he said, “Is permission required to hoist the Indian flag? The Tricolour belongs to the 130 crore people of this country, not just the Delhi Police. We will hoist the Tricolour wherever we want.”
The CJP founder made the remarks amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital and the judicial custody of two of the party’s co-convenors, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.
Ranka and Das were arrested in connection with a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 13, during which they hoisted the Tricolour. They were subsequently sent to five days of judicial custody for allegedly violating the conditions of a bond requiring them to maintain peace and entering Jantar Mantar without authorisation. Both are being held in Tihar Jail.
Following their arrest, Dipke appealed to a large number of people to gather at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16 and hoist the national flag. He alleged that CJP members had been jailed for hoisting the Tricolour.
Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner of Police Neha Yadav said CJP had used social media and a press conference to appeal to people to assemble at Central Park at 5 pm on October 16 with the national flag.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also appealed to its workers, supporters and members of the public to participate in the demonstration.
Yadav said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force in Connaught Place and surrounding areas in view of the prevailing security and law-and-order situation.
“We appeal to everyone not to participate in any gathering that violates BNSS guidelines or affects peace and order. Action will be taken against those who violate the restrictions,” she said.
However, the DCP also said a limited number of demonstrators could be permitted to take out a Tricolour march at another suitable location.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has informed Delhi Police in writing that Central Park will remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons. The civic body has also requested adequate security arrangements to prevent unauthorised entry into the park.
According to Yadav, traders’ and market associations in Connaught Place and surrounding commercial areas have also written to the police seeking protection for their shops and establishments. Traders fear that the gathering of a large number of people could disrupt business activities.
According to a police officer quoted by the Hindustan Times, 30 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be deployed during each shift from a total pool of 220 companies. The deployment will operate across three shifts during the day.
The forces will be stationed in New Delhi, neighbouring districts, border areas and other key locations. If the crowd increases at night and additional security becomes necessary, the number of companies deployed in a single shift could be increased to 60.
At a press conference on October 15, Dipke said the Delhi Police could arrest him but that he would not be intimidated.
“The Delhi Police may arrest me tonight or tomorrow morning. But I want to tell Modi ji that we are not going to be frightened by these things,” he said.
Dipke added that he was prepared to go to jail if that was the price of hoisting the national flag in the country.
He also alleged that after CJP called for a Delhi shutdown on October 10, the police had shut down buses and metro services in the capital, erected barricades and suspended internet services. He further claimed that Central Park was closed after he announced his plan to hoist the Tricolour there on October 16.
Questioning the restrictions, Dipke asked whether the authorities would close every location if his party announced plans to hoist the national flag at 100 places. He also questioned whether a rally by Narendra Modi would be cancelled if CJP members arrived carrying the Tricolour.
“If we say tomorrow that we will hoist the Tricolour at 100 places, will you shut down all those places? If we go to Narendra Modi’s rally carrying the Tricolour, will you cancel the rally? What are you so frightened of? Has hoisting the Tricolour become a crime in India?” he asked.
The planned demonstration has prompted extensive police deployment, restrictions on public gatherings, the temporary closure of Central Park and concerns among local traders about possible disruption. With Dipke maintaining that he intends to proceed with the flag-hoisting programme and police warning of action against violations of prohibitory orders, the proposed October 16 gathering has become the focus of heightened security measures in Connaught Place.