‘We Will Evolve in Necessary Ways’: CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka Vows to Continue Protest Against CEC

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Ashutosh Ranka has vowed to continue the outfit’s protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying the group will “evolve in necessary ways” based on its experiences.

Ranka made the remarks on Friday after visiting Mandir Marg Police Station in Delhi with CJP co-convenor Saurav Das, National Organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde and the party’s legal affairs head Ratna Singh. The visit came a day after the leaders sought additional time to appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch for questioning.

CJP Leaders Await Fresh Date for Questioning

Ranka said the leaders had informed the police that they could not appear on the initially scheduled date and were waiting for the Crime Branch to confirm a new time.

“We haven't received the next date yet. On the first date given to us, we could not go, so we informed them. They said they will confirm the timings, so we are waiting for the Crime Branch to get back to us,” he told reporters.

Das, Ranka and Shinde had been asked to appear at the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at noon on Thursday. They subsequently requested more time.

Ranka also said the verification of their sureties following their release from judicial custody had been completed without any problems. He added that their next date had been scheduled for the third week of November.

‘The Movement Continues Even When We Are in Jail’

Reiterating the CJP’s commitment to its campaign against the SIR exercise, Ranka said the protest would continue regardless of whether the leaders were in custody or outside jail.

“We are not leaders; we are custodians of this platform, which has been given to us by the people of this country. We are just trying to do our best,” he said.

Ranka added that the experience had prompted the group to reflect on its own approach and the way the government was functioning.

“The movement continues even when we are in jail or outside jail. Obviously, there are a lot of things that we have learned about ourselves and the way the regime is working, and we will, of course, change and evolve in necessary ways,” he said.

Das and Ranka Released After a Week in Tihar Jail

Das and Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on Wednesday after spending a week in judicial custody. Delhi Police had earlier this week transferred the cases against the CJP leaders linked to their protests to the Crime Branch.

The cases stem from an incident on October 13, when Das, Ranka and Shinde, along with 11 others, allegedly entered Jantar Mantar without authorisation. The site had been de-notified as a designated protest venue, according to the report.

All those involved were detained by Delhi Police. Shinde was released on a bail bond, while Das and Ranka remained in judicial custody for a week.

The CJP has continued to demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls. Ranka’s latest remarks signal that the group intends to sustain its campaign while adapting its approach following the recent police action.