'When will BJP face cases?': CJP's Abhijeet Dipke on FIR against woman over anti-Modi remarks

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke criticized the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against a woman accused of using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest in Delhi. Dipke argued that if criminal cases were based solely on the use of abusive language, BJP leaders and the party’s IT Cell would face the highest number of such cases. His comments followed a recent FIR lodged against a Faridabad-based woman, who was charged with intentional insult, public mischief, and defamation after a complaint from a Ghaziabad resident. The complaint included videos allegedly showing the woman using abusive language against Modi during a July 23 protest at Jantar Mantar. The FIR was filed in response to a complaint alleging that the woman had used abusive language against Modi. According to the complaint, the videos depicted her making derogatory remarks during the protest. However, Dipke challenged the selective application of the law, pointing out that similar behavior by BJP officials had gone unpunished. In a video message, he questioned why criminal action was being taken in this instance while BJP functionaries who had allegedly used abusive language against women had not faced similar consequences. Dipke specifically highlighted the actions of the BJP’s IT Cell, accusing its members of routinely hurling “vile abuses” at women online. He noted that some members of the IT Cell had “proudly written ‘followed by PM Modi’ in their bios,” suggesting a pattern of disrespectful conduct. He emphasized that such individuals had engaged in abuse “in the filthiest terms” and asked when legal action would be taken against them. Dipke also referenced BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, claiming that both had used abusive language in public settings. He alleged that there was a video of Yogi Adityanath using abusive language toward an NRI cameraperson. Dipke further asserted that there were two different standards for enforcing the law, one for ordinary citizens and another for BJP leaders and their supporters. He questioned whether the legal system operated under “two different sets of laws,” implying that the state selectively enforced rules against certain groups. He also stated that abusive language, while objectionable, did not constitute a criminal offense. “Using abusive language is not a crime,” he said, adding that while such behavior might be inappropriate, it should not lead to criminal prosecution unless other elements of the law were involved. Dipke claimed that if criminal cases were based purely on the use of abusive language, the BJP IT Cell and its leaders would face the most cases. “If cases were to be filed for using abusive language, then the highest number of cases would be against the BJP IT Cell, because they are the ones who have hurled the most abusive language at women,” he said. He also pointed out that BJP leaders had used abusive language for years, even within parliamentary sessions, yet had not faced legal repercussions. Following Dipke’s remarks, CJP spokespersons expressed solidarity with his position. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka shared a video on X, reportedly referencing the incident involving Yogi Adityanath. He repeated the demand for legal action against those who had used abusive language. Earlier in the day, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das had already criticized the FIR, calling it a “misuse of criminal law.” The CJP has consistently opposed what it describes as the selective enforcement of laws against critics of the government.