Abhijeet Dipke posts emotional video for jailed Cockroach Janta Party spokespersons Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka

Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, spokespersons of the Cockroach Janta Party, have been in jail for six to eight days. The case relates to a protest at Jantar Mantar. They are said to have staged a guerrilla-style protest there against the alleged arbitrary functioning and irregularities of the Chief Election Commissioner, demanding his resignation. Delhi Police then arrested both and sent them to jail.

At a hearing held yesterday, the bail plea of Saurav and Ashutosh was rejected. There is talk that their difficulties could now increase.

Amid these developments, party chief Abhijeet Dipke appeared emotional about his two colleagues. He posted a video on social media. At the same time, Dipke has put the agitation against the Chief Election Commissioner on hold for now. He has also appealed to the protesters to go home.

In the video, Dipke recalled conversations with Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. He said, "We have discussed many times the possibility of going to jail and who could stay in jail longer. Saurav used to say that he would not last even a day in jail. But he has been in jail for six days now."

Dipke said, "During the agitation that began at Jantar Mantar in June, he was initially trolled for his very soft nature and for drinking cold coffee. But look at him now, he went to jail laughing, waving the tricolour." He said, "I only followed their instructions. In truth, it was these two who carried this agitation forward. The courage and confidence with which they led gave me great strength too."

Dipke also spoke about those comparing the unrest in France with the CJP agitation. He said the two situations are completely different. In his words, "In India, Ashutosh and Saurav went to jail laughing. We did nothing like what is happening in France. But when they learned they had been wrongly jailed, they chose the path of peace. Ashu and Saurav are practising satyagraha. When these two come out of jail soon, the whole country will salute them."

On his emotions, Dipke said, "Now some people will see this and think I have become emotional, look how he made people cry. But our emotions are not our weakness. I am emotional right now because Saurav and Ashutosh are my brothers. I am worried about them. This is my love for them." He added, "I am not afraid of you people. They kept me in jail for two days, and still I am not afraid of you."