Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka on Thursday questioned Union Minister Jitendra Singh over allegations that the outfit had received foreign funding, asking why government representatives had previously held discussions and negotiations with its leaders if such suspicions existed.
Ranka's remarks came after he appeared before the Delhi Police Crime Branch in connection with the October 13 protest at Jantar Mantar, where CJP activists had demonstrated against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Responding to Singh's allegations, Ranka challenged the minister to explain the government's earlier engagement with the organisation, including meetings and informal discussions.
"Ask Jitendra Singh—ask him: if there was foreign funding involved, why were they shaking hands with us? Why were they negotiating with us? Why were they sitting down and holding talks with us—sharing tea and breakfast?" Ranka said.
He questioned the repeated allegations that the organisation had received money from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and the United States, accusing the government of relying on familiar political rhetoric instead of addressing pressing domestic concerns.
𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀
Ranka accused the government of attempting to divert public attention from unemployment, examination paper leaks and alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
He also questioned the Centre's defence of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid criticism of the SIR exercise.
The CJP leader alleged that the government had failed to provide satisfactory explanations on these issues and was instead repeatedly raising accusations about foreign financial support.
His response followed Singh's allegations that CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had received funds from US-based donors, while Ranka had been paid by Pakistani politicians and other overseas handlers.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru earlier this week, Singh had alleged that foreign-funded non-governmental organisations, deep-state operatives and groups working against India's interests were supporting campaigns aimed at discrediting the government.
The minister claimed that sufficient evidence existed to establish financial links between the activists and unauthorised foreign sources.
However, the CJP rejected the allegations and demanded that the government make the purported evidence public.
𝗖𝗝𝗣 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
Earlier on Thursday, Ranka and fellow CJP leader Saurav Das appeared before the Delhi Police Crime Branch at Rajouri Garden in connection with the October 13 demonstration.
The questioning concerned two FIRs registered following the protest at Jantar Mantar, where activists allegedly crossed police barricades and entered the premises despite restrictions.
The protest venue had been denotified as an authorised demonstration site, and police had alleged violations of prohibitory orders.
Ranka described the questioning as routine and maintained that the organisation would cooperate with the investigation.
He said displaying the national flag at Jantar Mantar or any other public place should not be treated as a criminal offence.
The CJP leaders had previously been detained and released after furnishing bonds of Rs 50,000 each and undertaking to maintain peace.
𝗗𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
Meanwhile, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das also rejected the foreign funding allegations, describing them as baseless and demanding documentary evidence from the Union minister.
Das said the organisation had been seeking proof of similar allegations since its initial protests in June.
He accused political groups of attempting to discredit the youth-led movement through unsubstantiated claims.
The CJP has been protesting against the Election Commission's SIR exercise and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter deletions and concerns regarding electoral transparency.
The latest exchange intensified the confrontation between the outfit and the Centre, with the organisation maintaining that its campaign focused on electoral accountability and democratic rights.
The allegations of foreign funding remain contested, and no independently verified evidence establishing the claims was presented in the reports reviewed.