CJP's Triple-City Showdown: Mumbai Grants Permission for Tiranga Rally as Delhi Braces for March

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has taken its "Lehra Do Tiranga" campaign to multiple cities on October 16, 2026, turning a dispute over the right to protest into a national talking point. While Mumbai Police have cleared the party's rally at Azad Maidan, the situation in the national capital remains tense, with restrictions in place around the proposed march venue in Connaught Place.

Why the Lehra Do Tiranga Campaign Began

The campaign was launched after two of the party's co-convenors, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were sent to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday. The two had entered Jantar Mantar in Delhi and raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Their custody has become the central rallying point for the party, which says the rallies are meant to express solidarity with its leaders and to defend the right to peaceful protest.

The party had earlier been refused permission to protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. CJP leaders argued at the time that similar demonstrations had been allowed in Mumbai and Bengaluru, and Das maintained that the party had only informed the police about its plans rather than asking for permission, pointing out that Jantar Mantar is a traditional protest site.

Mumbai Says Yes: Azad Maidan Rally Cleared

Mumbai Police have granted the CJP permission to hold its rally at Azad Maidan on Friday, October 16. A senior police officer explained that the approval was given because Azad Maidan is a designated protest site in the city. The permission covers a single day, with assembly allowed between 11 am and 5 pm.

The approval comes with conditions. Attendance is capped at 5,000 participants within the designated protest area, which spans roughly 7,000 square metres. Loudspeakers and public-address systems require separate prior permission, and cooking food or littering within the venue is prohibited. Party organisers have confirmed that the protest will remain at Azad Maidan, and supporters were urged to gather there instead of proceeding to other parts of the city. Heavy police deployment was reported at the venue as preparations were completed.

Delhi Braces for the Tiranga March

In the capital, the picture is very different. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called on supporters to join a Tiranga march at 5 pm at Central Park in Connaught Place. However, the New Delhi Municipal Council has announced that Central Park will remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons, leaving the fate of the march uncertain.

Delhi Police have urged people not to take part in gatherings that violate prohibitory orders or disturb public peace, citing earlier violations of the law by protesters. Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita have been imposed in Connaught Place and nearby areas. At the same time, police have signalled that a select group of people may be allowed to assemble at a suitable location to wave the national flag and sing the national anthem, subject to conditions.

Surveillance Claims and Rising Tension

The build-up has been marked by allegations from Dipke, who has claimed that undercover police personnel are watching his place of stay and that a white Scorpio has been following him. These claims are attributed to him and have not been independently verified. Even so, they have added to the charged atmosphere ahead of the march.

The Larger Question of Protest Rights

The contrasting responses in different cities have sharpened a wider debate. Supporters of the party argue that a peaceful tricolour gathering should not be treated as a threat, while authorities stress the need to maintain public order, follow prohibitory orders and respect the national flag and anthem. In Bengaluru, protests are generally restricted by a High Court order to the designated Freedom Park, a rule that has shaped how the city handles such demonstrations.

As the day unfolds, attention will remain on whether the Mumbai rally passes off peacefully, how the Delhi gathering is handled, and whether the dispute over detained leaders and protest rights moves further into the courts and the political arena.

This report is based on published news coverage and statements attributed to the individuals and authorities involved. Allegations of surveillance have not been independently verified.