MUMBAI: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) will hold a “Lehra Do Tiranga” protest at Azad Maidan on Friday, Oct 16, from 10am to 5pm, in solidarity with arrested co-conveners and founders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.In an Instagram video ahead of the demonstration, Mumbai CJP in-charge Pranay Ahire criticised the administration and said the protest was intended to assert the party’s patriotism.“We want to show the government that we are the real patriots, not the fake patriots or fake deshbhakts that this government is,” he said.Asked by TOI whether the gathering could become an indefinite sit-in, Ahire said the party had permission only for a one-day protest. “We have taken permission for this one day to hold a protest in solidarity against the arrests of Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das,” he said.Azad Maidan police have granted CJP a one-day permit for the protest. Police sources said they expect about 300 to 400 participants. A senior police officer confirmed permission for the rally from 10am to 5pm. Azad Maidan is Mumbai’s designated venue for protests, rallies, demonstrations and dharnas in the city.
