Mumbai — Dr BR Ambedkar's grandson and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar has voiced strong support for the Cockroach Janta Party protest directed against the Election Commission in New Delhi, condemning the central government for employing what he described as dictatorship tactics to suppress a peaceful demonstration.
Speaking at a gathering in south Mumbai, Ambedkar argued that the fundamental right to protest was being systematically obstructed through movement restrictions and aggressive police intervention. He alleged that authorities implemented various transport curbs, including cancelled trains and shut-down metro stations, specifically to prevent citizens from traveling to Delhi for the demonstration. According to Ambedkar, participants faced barricades that forced them to walk long distances, alongside police notices and arrests meant to deter involvement.
Ambedkar criticized the ruling administration, stating that officials must permit peaceful protests and listen to public grievances rather than acting as owners of the nation. He emphasized that elected representatives serve a five-year mandate and should govern peacefully instead of pursuing an authoritarian path. Furthermore, he faulted the Congress party for failing to unite opposition factions on the matter, suggesting that Rahul Gandhi should invite all concerned political entities and organizations to join forces.
The VBA leader specifically encouraged CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke to press forward with the movement despite threats of legal consequences or imprisonment, stressing that ongoing struggles must be seen through to completion. The underlying protest targets the Chief Election Commissioner over accusations of voter-list manipulation tied to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and procedural changes involving Form 6.
Concluding his remarks, Ambedkar noted that even during severe historical periods such as the Emergency and the Mandal Commission protests, administrations did not engage in such heavy-handed suppression. He warned that continued authoritarian measures threaten democratic institutions and run the risk of deepening civil unrest.