India News Live Updates, 16 October 2026: ‘Ready for jail’ says CJP’s Dipke ahead of ‘Tiranga’ march in Delhi
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke with legal head Ratna Singh address a press conference. (Source: PTI)
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for a ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march today at Central Park in Connaught Place at 5 pm, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police has urged people to stay away from the gathering, saying prohibitory orders are in force in Connaught Place and nearby areas. Police said it could allow a select group to wave the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable location.
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Places shut today: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has announced that Central Park will remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons. It has also sought security arrangements to prevent unauthorised entry into the park. Delhi Police has stepped up security in Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar, with personnel deployed at strategic locations and barricades likely to regulate the movement of protesters and commuters. The police have warned of legal action against those who violate prohibitory orders. The police have said demonstrations can be held at Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground or CBD Ground after obtaining the required permission. To which CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke responded, questioning, “If we announce 100 places, will Narendra Modi shut down all 100 places?… Why does Delhi Police have a problem with waving the Tiranga?”
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Why is CJP holding the march today? The march comes after a standoff between the CJP and Delhi Police after party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to 5 days of judicial custody for entering Jantar Mantar and raising slogans demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The arrests came after Jantar Mantar was no longer allowed to be used as a designated protest site. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has urged political parties and civil society groups to set aside ideological differences and join the campaign, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision. “Tonight or tomorrow morning, the Delhi Police people can pick me up. If one has to go to jail for waving the tricolour in this country, then we are ready for it,” Dipke said while addressing press conference.
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