Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the 'Cockroach Janata Party', has expressed strong reactions regarding the entry of criminals at Jantar Mantar. Speaking to TV9 Bharatvarsh Marathi, Dipke questioned the security protocols and the claims made by the Delhi Police. He raised a fundamental question about how individuals with criminal backgrounds could roam freely in a high-security zone like Jantar Mantar, especially when ordinary protesters face rigorous screening and checking procedures.
Security Lapses and Personal Experience
Dipke highlighted his own experience at the protest site, stating that he was never allowed entry without undergoing thorough security checks, while he questioned the logic behind the Delhi Police's claim that 2100 criminals were present at Jantar Mantar. If the security was so tight that even known activists and leaders were checked every single time, Dipke asks how such a large number of criminals managed to bypass the system. He termed this situation a significant failure on the part of the Delhi Police and insisted that the authorities should be held accountable for this lapse. He questioned why the police only realized the presence of these criminals now and how they were granted entry in the first place.
Political Impact and Youth Power
During his interaction, Abhijeet Dipke also touched upon the political ramifications of recent movements. He noted that some people previously claimed that no resignations occur under the current government. He pointed out that for 12 years, no minister had resigned. However, he emphasized that the power of the country's youth has changed this narrative. According to Dipke, the persistent efforts of the youth have forced a minister to step down, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.
Harassment of Students and Legal Cases
The discussion also moved towards the treatment of students involved in protests. Dipke stated that the government had previously provided assurances that the movement would be concluded and promised that all cases registered against students would be withdrawn. The government had also committed to ensuring that students wouldn't face any further harassment. However, Dipke pointed out that reports are emerging from across the country indicating that cases are still being filed against students, contrary to the promises made.
Warning of Future Protests
Abhijeet Dipke mentioned that he had raised this issue with the government again, and officials had initially agreed to withdraw all cases. He issued a stern warning to the government, stating that if the harassment continues and cases aren't dropped, they would be forced to launch another movement and sit on a dharna. Following this warning, several state governments, including Bihar, Bengal, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, issued notifications stating that they wouldn't harass any protesters or students, while however, Dipke noted that in certain areas, including Delhi, cases have not yet been withdrawn. He stated that they're currently trying to persuade the government, but if their demands aren't met, a new protest will be initiated.