New Delhi | The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has removed its national spokesperson, Vijeta Dahiya, following a major controversy triggered by a viral video that allegedly showed him eating at a Burger King outlet during the party’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest in New Delhi.
The decision came a day after the large-scale demonstration, which witnessed thousands of supporters marching toward Parliament and clashes between protesters and security personnel. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show Dahiya inside a mall near the protest site while several supporters were still participating in the demonstration. In the footage, people confronted him and questioned why he was at a fast-food restaurant while party workers were allegedly facing police action on the streets.
Although the exact timing and circumstances of the video have not been independently verified, the footage quickly went viral, triggering widespread criticism across social media platforms.
In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Cockroach Janta Party strongly condemned Dahiya’s conduct.
“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.“
The party further announced that it was removing Vijeta Dahiya as spokesperson and relieving him of all official responsibilities, stating that his actions did not reflect the organization’s principles or commitment to its supporters.
The controversy emerged during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, one of the CJP’s major protest campaigns in the national capital. The march attracted a large number of participants and resulted in confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement authorities, with several reports of police action against protesters.
Critics argued that Dahiya’s appearance at a fast-food outlet during such a critical moment demonstrated poor judgment and insensitivity, especially when many party workers and supporters were reportedly facing difficult conditions on the streets.
In response to the growing backlash, Dahiya released a video on Instagram, defending his actions. He stated that he had dedicated more than one and a half months to organizing and participating in the movement and claimed he had barely slept during the previous two nights.
Questioning the public outrage, Dahiya asked why eating a burger had become such a major issue.
“Nobody pays me to participate in the protest. I do this for the country,” he said.
Despite the criticism, Dahiya declined to apologize, maintaining that he had done nothing wrong.
The incident has sparked a broader debate on public accountability, political optics, and the expectations placed on political leaders and spokespersons during mass protest movements. The controversy also highlights how viral social media content can rapidly influence public perception and force political organizations to take swift disciplinary action.
