Cockroach Janata Party Holds Protests Over Arrested Founders

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) launched the Lehra Do Tiranga campaign on October 16, 2026, to demonstrate solidarity with arrested co-conveners and founders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. The party sought to challenge the government's definition of patriotism and question the legality of arresting citizens for displaying the national flag.

In Mumbai, the CJP successfully held a peaceful protest at Azad Maidan after receiving a one-day permit from local police. Pranay Ahire, the party's Mumbai in-charge, stated the event aimed to show that the party members are the real patriots. Between 300 and 400 participants were expected at the demonstration.

Efforts to expand the campaign to other cities met significant resistance. In New Delhi, the New Delhi Municipal Council closed Central Park for administrative reasons, and Delhi Police issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the Connaught Place area. Meanwhile, Bengaluru City Police denied permission for a march from Town Hall to the Quit India Memorial, citing a Karnataka High Court directive restricting rallies to Freedom Park. Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar claimed organizers failed to notify the government in advance, though CJP coordinator Rahul Jagrata maintained the event was a peaceful march and that an intimation letter had been submitted.