New Delhi, Oct 10 (V7N)- Abhijit Deepke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “dictator,” alleging that the prime minister is afraid of the country's youth amid heightened security measures ahead of a planned protest in New Delhi.
Deepke travelled from Mumbai to Delhi to lead the demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters, Hindustan Times reported.
“ Narendra Modi is a dictator. He is scared. That's why he has closed the Delhi Metro, roads—everything,” Deepke said, questioning why Modi should remain prime minister if he is afraid of the country's young people.
The CJP founder also challenged the extensive security arrangements and restrictions on metro services, arguing that the measures were disproportionate to a planned protest.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Deepke questioned the government's response to the demonstration and the deployment of security forces.
“Do Narendra Modi and Amit Shah want to fight against their own countrymen?” he asked, referring to the prime minister and Home Minister Amit Shah. He also questioned whether Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was so important to the government that police and security forces had to be deployed against citizens.
Deepke further alleged that Modi was concerned that the controversy surrounding the voter-list revision and the government's response to the protests could affect his future electoral support.
The planned demonstration is aimed at demanding Kumar's resignation over allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have denied the allegations.
Defending the protest, Deepke said peaceful demonstrations were a fundamental right guaranteed by India's Constitution. He cited Article 19, which protects freedoms including speech and peaceful assembly, while maintaining that the organizers intended to demonstrate democratically and peacefully.
Delhi authorities had denied permission for the rally, citing procedural issues and concerns over compliance with conditions imposed during previous protests. Security was tightened across central Delhi, with restrictions affecting transport and communications around the planned gathering.
END/SMA/AJ
