Three individuals claiming to be members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were detained by police in Gorakhpur on Saturday for attempting to burn an effigy of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The incident occurred during a protest outside the Indira Bal Bihar school, where demonstrators held banners and placards denouncing the minister.
Protest Details
The protesters, who identified themselves as CJP members, gathered near the school premises around noon. They accused Pradhan of failing to address key issues in the region, including unemployment and inadequate infrastructure. Police intervened swiftly, detaining three individuals before they could set the effigy ablaze. The remaining protesters dispersed peacefully after the intervention.
Police Action
Senior Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur, confirmed the detentions and stated that legal proceedings were underway. “The three accused have been taken into custody and are being questioned. We are investigating whether they had prior permission for the protest,” he said. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Political Reactions
The Cockroach Janta Party, a fringe political group, has not officially commented on the incident. However, local party members claimed the protest was against the minister’s alleged negligence in development projects. Meanwhile, supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party condemned the act, calling it an undemocratic way to express dissent.
This is not the first time the CJP has been involved in such acts. In 2024, the group was warned by police for similar protests in Lucknow. Authorities have urged citizens to follow legal channels for demonstrations.
