Two days before the proposed protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Thursday urged its supporters not to gather at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to receive its founder Abhijit Debaki on his arrival from the US.
The appeal came after the Boston-educated Debaki had earlier called on his supporters to meet him at the airport on June 6, the day of the planned demonstration demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET papers leak controversy.
In a post on X, the political satirical group said the response to the airport call exceeded expectations. “The overwhelming response from those who want Dharmendra Pradhan to resign to our invitation to join us at Delhi airport was beyond our imagination,” the party said.
“Not possible,” says CJP.
The CJP said a large gathering at the airport could disrupt normal operations and create difficulties for both travelers and security personnel.
“It is not possible for such a large number of people to gather at the airport as this may cause inconvenience to the public and security forces. So please do not come to Delhi airport,” the party said.
Instead of gathering at the airport, supporters were told that Debke would go to the Parliament Street police station to personally request permission for the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar.
In the video attached to the post, Debke said that the response to his call was much greater than expected, which prompted the party to reconsider its plans. He added, “We do not want to create any kind of inconvenience to the people or the security forces.”
Calls for peaceful behavior
The party also urged its supporters to maintain order and avoid any actions that might lead to disturbance.
Debke called for restraint and said supporters must ensure that the campaign remains peaceful and legal. “We are law-abiding citizens,” he said, adding that opponents were looking for an opportunity to “dismiss” or “slander” the movement and that the party should not give them this opportunity.
This development comes amid questions about the status of police authorization for the June 6 protest Newly appointed AKP spokesman Vegeta Dahiya says the decision is part of the organization’s “strategy.”
“People’s passion is driving the protest, and they are currently attached to Abhijeet (Deepki), and that’s why We received a call that Abhijeet will seek permission from the police in person on June 6,” Vijita told HT.
He added that the party remained “optimistic that the authorities will grant the Justice and Development Party the required permit to organize the peaceful demonstration.”
The CJP had previously announced that Dipke would seek approval in person after his arrival in Delhi.
