Abhijit Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, released a video on Wednesday urging his base to converge at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday, Oct 16, carrying the tricolour. In the clip, Dipke dismissed the government's allegations that waving the flag is a crime, claiming it is a patriotic act. He criticised the state for what he calls a "heavy‑handed crackdown on dissent", and warned that arrests would not silence dissent.
Dipke also slammed the police for detaining his associates Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were remanded for five days after allegedly unfurling the flag at Jantar Mantar. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make the Emergency official if it is to be enforced.
The call comes amid growing tensions over the use of the national flag in public spaces. The government has previously tightened restrictions on flag displays following allegations of misuse.
Police have deployed additional officers to Central Park in anticipation of the rally, while the party expects to mobilise around 300 supporters. The event is scheduled to commence at 10 a.m., with organisers warning that any arrests would lead to a "jail‑preparedness" response.