'Last I heard, India was democratic': Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reacts to CJP protest crackdown in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar on Saturday weighed in on the police action against protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi, saying peaceful protests were a democratic activity.“Peaceful protests is a democratic activity. Last time I heard India was a democratic country,” Manjrekar posted on X, amid heightened security in the capital ahead of the CJP’s proposed ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ demonstration demanding chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.The protest, planned for Saturday, was called to raise allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Delhi Police had denied permission for the demonstration, citing public safety, traffic management and law-and-order concerns.Stone pelting reported near Akashwani BhawanStone pelting was reported near Akashwani Bhawan during the protest, leaving two police personnel injured. Several protesters were detained as security personnel moved to control the situation.Sub-inspector Bajrang Jadhav was among those injured. Asked how he sustained his injuries, he said, “I was pushed me, while apprehending the rioters, this caused an injury.”Police had deployed personnel across the capital, erected barricades and intensified checks at entry points ahead of the planned demonstration.CJP leaders detained ahead of ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, co-convenor Saurav Das and leader Ashutosh Ranka were detained after arriving in Delhi. A video from a Delhi-bound flight showed Dipke challenging police personnel to arrest him and questioning the grounds for his detention.“Come on, arrest us! We have come here to get arrested. We are not afraid of you. Arrest us!” he said.In the video, Dipke also described the police action as “dictatorship” and repeatedly asked to speak to senior male officers as women police personnel surrounded him.YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained from his residence in Gurgaon ahead of the proposed protest.Over 1,500 detained across DelhiMore than 1,500 people had been detained from different parts of Delhi ahead of the planned demonstration as police stepped up preventive measures.The CJP has been demanding Kumar’s removal over alleged voter-list manipulation and has called for accountability over the SIR exercise. The party has maintained that it will continue its campaign for free and fair elections.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in DelhiStay updated with the latest Delhi news. Download the TOI App.