Rahul Gandhi Backs CJP Leaders Jailed Over Jantar Mantar Protest

Rahul Gandhi Jantar Mantar protest remarks intensified the political row in Delhi on Wednesday after Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said that waving the national flag during a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar was not a crime and described the jailing of young protesters as an “act of cowardice”.

Rahul Gandhi Defends Peaceful Protest

Gandhi said:

“Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice.”

He also sought to link different protest groups — including students, youth, journalists and INDIA bloc members — under a broader demand for constitutional rights.

‘Jantar Mantar Belongs to the People’

Gandhi further said:

“Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it.”

His remarks came after CJP members entered the Jantar Mantar area despite restrictions and raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Sent to Tihar

A Special Executive Magistrate sent CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to five days of judicial custody after Delhi Police cited repeated violations and breach of previous peace bonds. They were lodged in Tihar Jail.

Police alleged that the two had entered the now-denotified protest area without permission and had violated legal undertakings given after earlier detentions.

Ajinkya Shinde Released on Bond

Their associate Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond and surety of ₹5,000 after being bound down to maintain peace and good behaviour.

The three had been produced before a Special Executive Magistrate after being detained in connection with the protest.

Police Say Protesters Breached Restricted Area

According to police sources, a group of CJP members entered Jantar Mantar through a narrow lane behind the JD(U) office, crossed a locked gate and reached the protest site before unfurling the Tricolour and raising slogans.

Delhi Police has said Jantar Mantar is no longer a notified protest venue and cited repeated breaches of public-order restrictions in taking action against the CJP leaders.

Protesters Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

The demonstrations are part of a wider protest campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning voter-list revisions.

The Election Commission has denied allegations of political bias, while Opposition parties and protest groups continue to challenge the revision process and restrictions on demonstrations.

Political Battle Over Protest Rights Deepens

The Rahul Gandhi Jantar Mantar protest statement has added another layer to the ongoing confrontation over protest rights, electoral issues and restrictions in the national capital.

While Gandhi and CJP leaders describe the demonstrations as peaceful exercises of constitutional rights, Delhi Police says the arrests followed repeated violations of restrictions and previous legal undertakings.