‘GenZ deserves better than undeclared Emer-GenZ’: Tharoor slams
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New Delhi: Despite the detention of key leaders, CJP has announced that its organisation-in-charge, Ajinkya Shinde, will lead the Jantar Mantar demonstration over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has criticised the massive security deployment and restrictions imposed in Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, describing the situation as an undeclared emergency.
“Our GenZ deserves better than an undeclared Emer-GenZ,” Tharoor wrote on X.
Tharoor said the security arrangements he witnessed after returning to Delhi around 2 am were alarming. He pointed to concrete barricades at intersections, road spikes, the deployment of nearly 22,000 police and paramilitary personnel, the cancellation of around 250 trains and the closure of 45 metro stations. He also criticised the suspension of internet services in parts of central Delhi, arguing that the restrictions interfered with citizens’ freedom of movement and communication.
Questioning the need for such an extensive security operation against peaceful demonstrators, Tharoor said a government confident in the electoral process should address public concerns rather than prevent people from raising questions. He warned that barricades and detentions would not restore public trust in the Election Commission.
Meanwhile, CJP said Shinde would lead the protest for as long as Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Rank remained in custody. The three leaders were detained after arriving in Delhi by air ahead of the planned demonstration. Dipke had recorded a video in advance, anticipating his detention and assigning Shinde responsibility for leading the protest.
The party accused the police of attempting to suppress the demonstration, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detained leaders, and described their detention as a violation of their freedom of movement. Police restrictions have so far prevented the protest from beginning.
YouTuber and civil rights activist Dhruv Rathee was also detained from his residence in Gurugram, CJP leaders confirmed.
Tharoor questioned what authorities would do if protesters returned to the streets on Monday, warning that the government’s response to dissent would be a measure of the country’s democratic strength.