‘Businesses Suffer When government Shuts Down A City’: Abhijeet Dipke Slams Delhi Curbs

Businesses do not suffer because of peaceful protests. They suffer when the government decides to shut down an entire city, suspend internet services and restrict the movement of its own citizens.” With this statement, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has pushed back against criticism that protests in Delhi are hurting traders and disrupting everyday life.

The remarks come amid a continuing political confrontation over demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has denied political bias, while opposition groups and activists have questioned the voter-list revision process.

Delhi witnessed extensive security deployment, road restrictions, detentions and a temporary mobile internet suspension in parts of central Delhi ahead of earlier demonstrations. The Supreme Court subsequently directed authorities to prevent illegal detentions, maintain free movement and ensure normal Metro, railway and internet services, subject to law-and-order conditions.