Cockroach Janta Party Removes Spokesperson Over Burger Outlet Video During Protest
NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has removed its spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya after a viral video showed him at a burger outlet in a mall while police cracked down on protesters at Jantar Mantar. The party called his conduct 'deeply insensitive' and said it was 'wholly inconsistent' with its values.
In a statement, the party said: 'We strongly condemn the deeply insensitive actions of our spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya, whose videos surfaced while peaceful protestors and our team were facing brutal police violence. Such conduct is unacceptable, shows a complete lack of judgment, and is wholly inconsistent with the values and principles of our movement.' Dahiya has been relieved of all official duties.
The clip, which circulated widely on social media, shows Dahiya at a food court in a shopping mall near the protest site. A group of people confront him, asking why he was not with the protesters, with one person heard saying: 'You were eating a burger while we were protesting?' The exact timing and circumstances of the video could not be independently verified.
In an Instagram video responding to the backlash, Dahiya said he had been working continuously for the movement for about one and a half months and had barely slept in the previous two nights. He questioned why eating a burger had become a major issue. In the caption, he also wrote: 'By the way, I didn't eat the burger, because I felt that it has maida and transfats, and maybe I should eat elsewhere.' He added: 'No one pays me to participate in the protest. Yes, I will eat the burger.'
Prior to this incident, Dahiya had faced criticism on social media for his remarks on transgender people and for stating that most women are 'not political'.
The CJP has been holding a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities. On Monday, police resorted to a baton charge and detained several protesters during a march to Parliament.
