Delhi Police Bars CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke from Connaught Place Protest

UPDATE - follow-up to CJP Tiranga protest LIVE | Massive security for CJP's 'Tiranga' march; SC refuses urgent hearing on Central Park closure: Delhi Police served a notice to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, barring him from holding a protest at Connaught Place ahead of the party's planned 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march. More than 20 police personnel visited Dipke's residence to serve the notice, stating that Connaught Place is not a notified protest site and warning that an unlawful assembly violates Section 163 of the BNSS under prohibitory orders.

Security and Business Concerns

Police cited multiple reasons for denying permission, including risks to traffic movement, public safety, and proximity to Parliament, the Central Secretariat, and diplomatic areas. Officials noted that Connaught Place houses dense showrooms, banks, offices, and street vendors, and that Rajiv Chowk Metro station handles an average of two lakh commuters daily. NRAI treasurer Manpreet Singh stated that frequent protests hurt businesses with some days seeing zero sales, warning that the festive season impact was significant as shopping and restaurant sales are closely linked. West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh also accused the CJP of disrupting festive celebrations during Navratri and Durga Puja.

Political Reactions

In response, the CJP asked protestors to go to Connaught Place in groups of less than five, take a photo with a national flag, and upload it on social media. Abhijeet Dipke defended peaceful protests on X, stating that questioning those in public office is not anarchy. NCP-SCP spokesperson Anish Gawande said he would read the notice before deciding next steps, while AAP led a separate 'Tiranga' march on North Avenue near Rashtrapati Bhavan led by Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj, who argued the government could not dictate where citizens unfurl the national flag.

Context

Protest bans and Section 163 orders are frequently used by civil authorities to manage large gatherings in high-density commercial and diplomatic zones during peak festival seasons. Such measures aim to balance the constitutional right to protest with public safety, traffic management, and the protection of local business operations.