Amaravati, Oct 15: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed solidarity with Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to five days of judicial custody in Delhi. Jagan said India needs to address flaws in its electoral system and restore public trust in the election process.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Jagan said a proactive approach to resolving problems would be more effective than taking action after issues escalate. He argued that arrests would not solve the underlying problem and could instead worsen the situation.
“A proactive approach always yields better results than a reactive stance. The system has a flaw that needs to be corrected. Trust in the electoral process must be restored. The arrests of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka do not solve anything; they only aggravate the situation,” Jagan said, expressing sympathy for the two CJP leaders.
CJP Leaders Sent to Five-Day Judicial Custody
According to Delhi Police, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and 11 other CJP activists attempted to enter the protest area at Jantar Mantar on October 13. Police alleged that the group entered the protest site through private premises and obstructed officers who tried to stop them.
Police took 14 people into custody and registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with the incident.
On October 14, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate under the jurisdiction of Mandir Marg Police Station. According to the reported order, they were sent to judicial custody until October 19 after failing to furnish the required surety. The order cited the need to maintain public order.
CJP Founder Challenges PM Narendra Modi
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also reacted to the detention of the party leaders. In a video posted on X, he challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to officially declare an Emergency if he had the courage to do so.
Dipke criticised the use of police action to prevent protests and said the government should openly state its position on dissent rather than rely on police restrictions.
He also said Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had carried and displayed the Indian national flag at Jantar Mantar despite knowing that they could face arrest.
Electoral Reforms and Democratic Rights in Focus
Jagan’s remarks have brought renewed attention to electoral reforms, public confidence in democratic institutions and the right to protest. His statement emphasised that authorities should identify and correct systemic problems instead of relying solely on arrests and other enforcement measures.
The detention of the CJP leaders and the political reactions that followed have also sparked discussion about government accountability, freedom of expression and the handling of public demonstrations.
Jagan’s central message was that restoring public trust in India’s electoral process requires addressing the underlying concerns and ensuring that democratic institutions remain credible and accountable.
