Brief
Ajinkya Shinde steps up to lead CJP protest after Dipke’s detention
Shinde urged supporters to march to Jantar Mantar, warning police that any attempt to stop them would become the new protest site.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Hours after Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained at Delhi airport, the party’s national organising in‑charge Ajinkya Shinde posted a video on Instagram urging supporters to march to Jantar Mantar.
What happened
Delhi police stopped a flight from Mumbai on Saturday morning and detained Dipke, senior members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The three were on their way to lead a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. In a video recorded from inside a car, Shinde said, “We appeal to everyone to march towards Jantar Mantar!” and warned, “If Delhi Police tries to stop us, wherever they stop us will become our Jantar Mantar.”
What the reports add
The Gulf News article notes that Dipke had previously recorded a video naming Shinde as his successor if the leadership were held, saying, “After us, Ajinkya will lead this movement.” The party later confirmed on X that Shinde would lead the protest until the detained leaders were released. Shinde, a 35‑year‑old resident of Latur, Maharashtra, holds a BTech from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University and was appointed national organising in‑charge in August 2026. He has been described as the movement’s main behind‑the‑scenes organiser, previously overseeing CJP’s Mumbai operations and the “School Thik Karo” campaign.
What was said
“We appeal to everyone to march towards Jantar Mantar!” Shinde said in the Instagram video, which was shared by the CJP. He added, “If Delhi Police tries to stop us, wherever they stop us will become our Jantar Mantar.” The article also records Dipke’s earlier statement that Shinde would take charge, and a BJP leader Amit Malviya’s criticism of Shinde’s past links to the Aam Aadmi Party, though the article does not quote Malviya directly.
How it came about
Shinde’s rise within the CJP follows his appointment as national organising in‑charge in August 2026, a role that saw him manage the party’s Mumbai activities and the “School Thik Karo” campaign. His past affiliation with the AAP’s youth wing and co‑in‑charge role for Goa has been noted by Indian media, prompting criticism from BJP figures. The detention of Dipke and other leaders occurred amid a city‑wide security lockdown, with trains and metro services suspended and mobile internet halted, as reported in earlier Felo News coverage of the protest buildup.
Key facts
- CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and senior members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained at Delhi airport on a flight from Mumbai. (gulfnews.com)
- Ajinkya Shinde, 35, announced a march to Jantar Mantar and warned police that any obstruction would become the protest site. (gulfnews.com)
- Shinde was appointed national organising in‑charge of the CJP in August 2026 and has previously led Mumbai operations and the "School Thik Karo" campaign. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Who is Ajinkya Shinde? The CJP organiser leading Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest after Dipke’s detention”
