New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) denied permission for his proposed protest at Central Park in Connaught Place. The civic body has announced that the park will remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17, 2026, citing administrative reasons.

The development comes ahead of CJP’s proposed “Lehra Do Tiranga” march, which was planned for Friday to protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Dipke Questions Decision to Close Central Park
Reacting to the NDMC notice, Dipke posted a message on X questioning whether authorities would shut down every location if the party announced protests at multiple places.

“If we announce 100 places, will Narendra Modi shut down all 100 places?” Dipke wrote.

In its public notice, NDMC stated that Central Park in Connaught Place would remain closed to the general public on October 16 and 17 due to administrative reasons.

CJP Announces ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ March
The Cockroach Janta Party had announced on Wednesday that it would organise a “Lehra Do Tiranga” march at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday, October 16.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Dipke appealed to political parties and civil society organisations to participate in the march, carrying the national flag.

“I request all political parties and civil society groups to rise above ideology and come together. If the right to vote is not saved, democracy will not be saved,” Dipke said.

The proposed march was announced amid the party’s demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

CJP Leaders Arrested After Protest at Jantar Mantar
The call for the march followed the arrest of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. They were sent to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar and raising slogans demanding the CEC’s resignation.

Earlier in the week, Delhi Police withdrew Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest site. The move prompted the party to challenge the order by returning to the venue carrying the national flag.

Security Tightened Around Connaught Place
Security arrangements were strengthened around Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar ahead of the proposed march. Several companies of paramilitary personnel were reportedly stationed in the national capital.

Police officials said personnel would be deployed at strategic locations, while barricades could be erected and the movement of protesters and commuters regulated to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents.

The closure of Central Park and the denial of permission for the proposed gathering have put the planned march under fresh scrutiny, with security arrangements in central Delhi expected to remain tight.