CJP Sacks Spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya Over Burger Video During Protest Crackdown
CJP removes spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya after viral videos show him eating a burger and dancing while protesters faced police action at Jantar Mantar. Dahiya says he was told "please don't come" without prior discussion.
What happened
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) removed its spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya on Tuesday, 21 July 2025, after videos circulated on social media showing Dahiya eating a burger near a Delhi Metro station and posting dance videos on the same day CJP volunteers and student protesters faced police action during the "Sansad Chalo" march at Jantar Mantar on Monday, 21 July 2025.
What we can verify
- Removal announcement: CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke posted a statement on X (handle
@Cockroachisback) on 21 July 2025 stating: "We strongly condemn the deeply insensitive actions of our spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya... effective immediately, Vijeta Dahiya is removed from his position as spokesperson." [Source: The Indian Express] - Trigger: Viral videos showed Dahiya eating a burger and dancing while CJP volunteers were allegedly beaten by police during the Monday protest. [Source: The Indian Express]
- Dahiya's response: In an interview with The Indian Express, Dahiya said he was told "Vijeta, please don't come" without any prior discussion or explanation. He added he remains committed to the cause but is no longer a formal member. [Source: The Indian Express]
- Additional context: Dahiya's earlier comments on spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj also drew criticism within the group. [Source: The Indian Express]
What remains unverified
- Exact number of protesters injured/detained on 21 July: Police and CJP have given differing accounts; no independent verification available →
[unverified] - Whether Dahiya's removal was decided solely by Dipke or involved wider CJP leadership: Not confirmed by independent sources →
[unverified] - Total CJP volunteer strength at Jantar Mantar on 21 July: No official count released →
[unverified]
Why it matters
The episode exposes internal tensions within CJP over optics and discipline during a high-visibility protest. Dipke's swift public dismissal signals an attempt to control the narrative after the burger/dance videos went viral — a moment opponents seized to portray the movement as unserious. Dahiya's claim that he was not consulted before removal suggests the decision was top-down.
Sources: The Indian Express (22 July 2025) — "Sacked CJP representative Vijeta Dahiya on how Abhijeet Dipke fired him".
Sources cited
CJP policy: every fact in this article is traceable to a public source. We never publish what we cannot verify.
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