Jantar Mantar Belongs to People of India’: Rahul Gandhi Calls Jailing of CJP Leaders ‘Cowardice’ After Tricolour Protest

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, October 14, voiced support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, criticising the five-day judicial custody of party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. In a post on X, Gandhi said that waving the Tricolour during a peaceful protest was not a crime and described jailing young protesters as an act of “cowardice”.

Gandhi’s remarks came hours after Das and Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail over their alleged entry into the restricted Jantar Mantar protest area. His post also framed the demonstrations as a broader movement involving students, young people, journalists and opposition parties seeking to exercise their constitutional rights. Asaduddin Owaisi Moves Supreme Court Against SIR Process, Seeks Hearing Alongside Similar Petitions.

Rahul Gandhi Extends Support to CJP Protesters

“Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice,” Gandhi wrote on X. He said that students, youth, journalists and the INDIA bloc were coming together despite representing different groups and banners, adding that their protests shared a common demand for constitutional rights.

“Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it,” the Congress leader added, signalling his support for the protesters’ demand to retain access to the prominent protest venue. Gandhi’s statement gives the CJP-led agitation a prominent opposition voice amid the continuing dispute over restrictions on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.

CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Sent to 5-Day Judicial Custody

The development follows the detention of CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde on Tuesday after they allegedly crossed police barricades and entered the Jantar Mantar area. They were protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demanding his resignation amid allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. ‘Declare an Emergency’: Abhijeet Dipke Reacts As Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Get 5-Day Judicial Custody.

‘Jantar Mantar Belongs to People of India’

Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice.

Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights.

Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 14, 2026

On Wednesday, Das and Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody. Police registered a case involving allegations of trespassing, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of a peace bond and obstructing a public servant from performing official duties.

According to reports, the two leaders had earlier furnished bonds undertaking to maintain peace following their detention during a previous protest. Ajinkya Shinde, the third CJP leader detained in the latest incident, was reportedly released after completing the required bond formalities. The allegations against the leaders remain subject to legal proceedings.

Jantar Mantar Restrictions Become Focus of Protest

The confrontation comes after Delhi Police withdrew Jantar Mantar’s designation as an authorised protest site and identified Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative venues for demonstrations.

The CJP and other protesters have challenged the restrictions, arguing that access to Jantar Mantar is important for making public dissent visible near the seat of political power. The ongoing agitation has also drawn attention to allegations of irregularities in the SIR exercise, which opposition parties have questioned.

Rahul Gandhi’s post places the Congress leader alongside the protesters in the wider debate over the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. His remarks also broaden the political context of the latest arrests, linking the CJP demonstration to a common opposition demand for the protection of constitutional rights.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 14, 2026 11:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).