New Delhi, Jun 5: The Delhi Police has not received any request for permission from digital outfit Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) regarding its proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, even as more than 1,000 police personnel have been deployed in New Delhi, an official said on Friday.
“We will examine their request if and when they seek permission,” a senior police officer told PTI.
Police sources said they learnt about the proposed protest primarily through social media posts and messages circulating online, and added that they have yet to receive any formal communication from the Abhijeet Dipke-led outfit.
Police said they are closely monitoring the situation and making preliminary security arrangements in view of the proposed gathering.
Senior Delhi Police officers held a high-level review meeting earlier in the day to assess the situation and preparedness ahead of the planned protest. All district units have been placed on standby, and further decisions are likely after evaluating intelligence inputs and the ground situation, sources said.
Police officers described the situation as ‘very dynamic’, with assessments being conducted at multiple levels.
“The only information available to us at present is what has been circulating on social media. No permission request has been received so far,” a source said.
Delhi Police generally does not permit demonstrations without prior approval and the necessary permissions. Officials said it would be premature to comment on any specific action at this stage.
Decisions regarding security deployment and other preventive measures would depend on evolving ground conditions and intelligence inputs, but as of now, deployment of 1,000 police personnel has been planned, police sources added.
Sources said intelligence agencies are also examining reports suggesting possible backing for the proposed protest from certain political groups. Several political leaders are under scrutiny as part of the assessment process, they added.
Police said they are prepared to deploy personnel in sensitive areas, if required, to maintain law and order in the national capital. Further developments will be reviewed as the situation unfolds.
Meanwhile, party founder Abhijeet Dipke’s friends and acquaintances here feel the agitation called by him is for a serious cause and it should not go off track.
They also want the government to cooperate with the protesters.
The CJP in a post on X shared a video of police arrangements and said, “Arrangements to stop cockroaches have been made completely tight, barricading has been put up just today.”
Dipke had called on supporters and students to join his protest in Jantar Mantar on June 6, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination-related lapses.
Dipke said he would fly back from the US to lead the protest.
Education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk also said he would join the protest if Pradhan does not step down by June 5.
Originally launched as a satirical response to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s remarks, referring to certain individuals as “cockroaches” and “parasites” during a court hearing last month, CJP has since taken the shape of an organised campaign, with significant followers online.
