Indian government summons 'Cockroach Party' leader for hearing on X account block

ISLAMABAD: The Indian government has summoned Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke to appear before an inter-ministerial committee on Wednesday to hear his appeal against the blocking of the party’s original account on X, according to Indian media. 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed Dipke to be physically present at Electronics Niketan, the ministry’s headquarters in New Delhi, on Wednesday, for proceedings related to the account’s suspension.

The summons comes as Dipke continues a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. 

The demonstration, which began on June 20, has entered its fifth day, with Dipke refusing to leave the protest site despite increasing pressure from authorities.

The CJP described the government’s decision to require Dipke’s physical attendance as a “fresh escalation” in tensions between the party and authorities. 

Dipke has alleged that protesters have faced repeated disruptions, including prolonged interruptions to food and water access. 

He also claimed that running water to nearby public washrooms had been cut off intermittently during the protest.

The government has not publicly commented on the allegations regarding conditions at the protest site.

The hearing before the inter-ministerial committee is expected to focus on Dipke’s appeal against the blocking of the CJP’s original X account, a move the party says has limited its ability to communicate with supporters.