‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ Rally in Delhi, Heavy Police Deployment

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is scheduled to hold a rally titled ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ at Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi, on Friday. Security has been tightened across the national capital, with around 6,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces deployed. The number of CCTV cameras has also been increased. Security arrangements have been strengthened at Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby metro stations and other sensitive locations. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has announced that the public will not be allowed inside Central Park on Friday and Saturday. Delhi Police said permission could be granted for the rally at an alternative location with a limited number of participants.

CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke said the party would peacefully hoist the national flag at Central Park and that its members were prepared to go to jail if doing so led to their arrest. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the NDMC’s decision to close Central Park. The court expressed hope that everyone would act responsibly and acknowledged the difficulties families could face during the festive season because of protests. It observed that the right to protest, livelihoods and law and order were interconnected. Dipke, however, argued that restrictions imposed across the city, rather than peaceful protests, would affect businesses.