‘Since When Is Waving Tricolour Illegal?’ Asks CJP Founder

Abhijeet Dipke Calls Arrests An Example Of ‘Dictatorial Mindset’; Backs INDIA Bloc Protests Demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

Update: 2026-10-13 06:14 GMT

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke speaks to the media on the Congress Keralam social media post and the INDIA bloc's protest march to the Supreme Court, in Hingoli, Maharashtra on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday condemned the detention of CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde near Jantar Mantar, questioning whether waving the national flag had become a violation of the law.

Dipke said the team, led by Ranka, Das and Shinde, had gone to Jantar Mantar in the morning and waved the Tricolour, alleging that the members were arrested for doing so.

“Has hoisting the national flag become a violation of the law? Since when has waving the Tricolour become a violation of the law?” Dipke said, describing the action as an example of a “dictatorial mindset”.

VIDEO | Hingoli: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on the Congress Keralam social media post and the INDIA bloc's protest march to the Supreme Court says, "I would not like to comment on that right now because both the CJI and the Supreme Court have recently said that law and order is not the responsibility of the court. What action have they taken against the Election Commission? They have taken no action at all. We saw what happened in Bengal after votes were deleted. What did they say? They said it was fine if people could not vote now; they could vote later. Will the Supreme Court tell Narendra Modi the same thing, that he should not contest the election this time and can contest the next time? If they cannot say that, then on what basis are they telling voters this? I extend my best wishes to the INDIA bloc for yesterday's protest in Delhi. It was a very large and important protest. It is necessary for the entire country to unite and hold such protests, especially the INDIA bloc, as it is in the Opposition. Such protests will continue across the country until Gyanesh Kumar resigns. We hope that this happens." (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTeOLF)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2026

He said strict action should be taken against those responsible for the arrests, questioning how anyone could be detained for waving the national flag in the country.

On the Congress Keralam social media post and the INDIA bloc's protest march to the Supreme Court, Dipke said he would not comment on the matter at present, citing recent observations by the Chief Justice of India and the Supreme Court that law and order was not the responsibility of the court.

He questioned the action taken by the Supreme Court against the Election Commission, alleging that no action had been taken despite concerns over the deletion of voters' names in West Bengal.

Referring to the issue, Dipke questioned whether the same logic would be applied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by asking him to skip an election and contest the next one instead.

Dipke also extended his support to the INDIA bloc's protest in Delhi on Monday, describing it as a significant demonstration and calling for greater public participation in protests against alleged electoral irregularities.

He said protests would continue across the country until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigned, expressing hope that the demand would be met.