New Delhi: Reacting to the arrest of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders on Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said that jailing young people for waving the tricolor at Jantar Mantar is an act of cowardice. He added that waving the tricolor during a peaceful protest is not a crime.
This statement comes at a time when CJP leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on Wednesday for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Shinde was released on personal bond.
‘Waving the Tricolor is Not a Crime’: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi, in a post on the social media platform X, said, “Waving the tricolor during a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar is not a crime. Jailing young people for this is cowardice. Students, youth, journalists, and the INDIA Alliance—different banners, but with the same purpose. All protests are citizens demanding their constitutional rights.”
He further said, “Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will take it back.”
Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice.
Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights.
Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 14, 2026
CJP leaders accused of breaking through barricades
According to police, the three CJP leaders were detained on Tuesday morning. They are alleged to have crossed police barricades and entered Jantar Mantar, which has been removed from the list of designated protest sites.
The three leaders were on their way to protest against the Election Commission (ECI) over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. During this time, they were seen shouting slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and attempting to cross the barricade.
The police then detained them. The three were produced before a magistrate at Mandir Marg in New Delhi on Wednesday morning.
Also charged with violating bond conditions
Previously, CJP founders Abhijeet Dipke, Sourav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka were released after posting a bond of ₹50,000 in connection with the October 10 protest. They were released on the condition that they would not be involved in any case related to breach of peace for a year.
According to the police, this time Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been charged with alleged trespassing and violating bond conditions. The police consider them repeat offenders.
The three leaders have been charged with trespassing, violating bond conditions, and obstructing government officials.
Permission for demonstration at Jantar Mantar revoked
According to the Delhi Police, Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of designated protest sites on October 12th. Following this, new guidelines for protests were issued under Delhi Police Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026.
The police stated that this decision was made based on the recommendations of a committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Under the new guidelines, three locations have been designated for demonstrations in Delhi—Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan, and the CBD Ground in East Delhi.