Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ;  October 14: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has publicly come out in support of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), marking what is being described as the first open expression of solidarity between the Congress leader and the group. Strongly criticising the arrest of CJP leaders, Rahul defended their right to peaceful protest and condemned the detention of young demonstrators for raising the national flag at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

“Flying the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar during a peaceful protest is not a crime. Imprisoning young people for this is an act of cowardice,” Rahul Gandhi said, voicing his opposition to the police action against the CJP leaders. His remarks have drawn considerable attention in political circles, particularly because the Congress had so far maintained its distance from the CJP, popularly referred to as the ‘Cockroach’ group, despite similarities in some of their protest-related demands.

Rahul’s public support has now triggered questions about whether the Congress is reconsidering its political approach towards the organisation. While the two sides may have found common ground over opposition to the Centre and the Election Commission-related protest, it remains unclear whether this development signals a broader political understanding or is limited to the issue of the arrested leaders.

The controversy centres on the arrest of two CJP leaders, Ashutosh Ranka and Sourav Das, who allegedly entered Jantar Mantar by crossing barricades on Tuesday despite restrictions on the protest site. The two leaders reportedly raised the national flag during the demonstration. Delhi Police subsequently arrested them, and they were sent to Tihar Jail after a court ordered five days of judicial custody.

The arrests have intensified the debate over the right to protest and the restrictions imposed on demonstrations at designated locations in the national capital. Rahul Gandhi’s remarks have added a fresh political dimension to the issue, with the Congress MP questioning the decision to imprison young protesters for an act he described as peaceful and patriotic.

Until now, the Congress had largely maintained a cautious distance from the CJP and its leaders. Although there appeared to be some overlap in their opposition to the Modi government, the party had not openly associated itself with the group. Rahul’s latest statement therefore marks a notable shift in the public stance, even though no formal political alliance or broader arrangement has been announced.

The development has also prompted speculation about the possible political calculations behind the Congress leader’s intervention. Whether Rahul’s support represents a tactical move to bring different anti-government voices together or simply an expression of solidarity over the arrests remains to be seen. No formal understanding between the Congress and the CJP has been established on the basis of the statement alone.

For now, the immediate focus remains on the fate of Ashutosh Ranka and Sourav Das, the legal proceedings against them and the wider questions surrounding peaceful protest in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi’s intervention has brought the CJP issue into sharper political focus, setting the stage for further debate over the opposition’s response to the Centre and the treatment of demonstrators.

This is a developing story. The report is based on the information currently available. Further details and updates will be published as more verified information emerges.