Deeply insensitive: CJP removes spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya over burger videos during protest
The Cockroach Janta Party removed spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya after a burger outlet video surfaced during its Delhi protest. The party called his conduct deeply insensitive as workers and supporters allegedly faced police action.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday removed its spokesperson, Vijeta Dahiya, after videos showing him at a burger outlet during the party's protest march in Delhi went viral on social media.
The party said it strongly condemned his "deeply insensitive actions" at a time when its members and supporters were allegedly facing police action.
"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 said.
Announcing disciplinary action, the CJP said Dahiya had been removed as spokesperson and stripped of all official responsibilities.
DAHIYA SPOTTED EATING BURGER
The controversy began after a video purportedly showed Dahiya, a political researcher and filmmaker, at a popular burger outlet in a Delhi mall while the CJP's protest was underway on Monday.
As the clip went viral, several social media users questioned why he was at a restaurant when protesters were allegedly being lathicharged and detained by police.
Another viral video showed a group confronting Dahiya at the outlet, asking why he was eating a burger instead of standing with protesters.
The timing of the video and the circumstances in which it was recorded could not be independently verified.
Responding to the criticism, Dahiya said he had taken part in the march and left only after it had ended.
"Why did I eat a burger? This has become such a big issue today. Why does anyone eat a burger? Because they're hungry. I was hungry too," he said in a video shared on social media.
He said he had not slept for two nights while working for the movement and had gone home to shower after leaving the protest before stopping for food.
"What people don't see is that I haven't slept for two nights. Neither have those who are part of the protest," he said.
In the caption accompanying his Instagram video, Dahiya added that he eventually did not eat the burger because he felt it contained refined flour and trans fats and decided to eat elsewhere.
"No one pays me to participate in the protest. I'm doing this for the country," he said, while maintaining that there was nothing wrong with eating a burger after the demonstration.
NOT THE FIRST CONTROVERSY FOR DAHIYA
Before the latest controversy, Dahiya had also faced criticism on social media over his remarks on transgender people and for claiming that most women are "not political."
The action against Dahiya comes as the CJP continues its protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and question paper leaks.
The party's agitation intensified after police used force and detained several protesters during Monday's march towards Parliament, an incident that has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the Opposition and the Centre.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday removed its spokesperson, Vijeta Dahiya, after videos showing him at a burger outlet during the party's protest march in Delhi went viral on social media.
The party said it strongly condemned his "deeply insensitive actions" at a time when its members and supporters were allegedly facing police action.
"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 said.
Announcing disciplinary action, the CJP said Dahiya had been removed as spokesperson and stripped of all official responsibilities.
DAHIYA SPOTTED EATING BURGER
The controversy began after a video purportedly showed Dahiya, a political researcher and filmmaker, at a popular burger outlet in a Delhi mall while the CJP's protest was underway on Monday.
As the clip went viral, several social media users questioned why he was at a restaurant when protesters were allegedly being lathicharged and detained by police.
Another viral video showed a group confronting Dahiya at the outlet, asking why he was eating a burger instead of standing with protesters.
The timing of the video and the circumstances in which it was recorded could not be independently verified.
Responding to the criticism, Dahiya said he had taken part in the march and left only after it had ended.
"Why did I eat a burger? This has become such a big issue today. Why does anyone eat a burger? Because they're hungry. I was hungry too," he said in a video shared on social media.
He said he had not slept for two nights while working for the movement and had gone home to shower after leaving the protest before stopping for food.
"What people don't see is that I haven't slept for two nights. Neither have those who are part of the protest," he said.
In the caption accompanying his Instagram video, Dahiya added that he eventually did not eat the burger because he felt it contained refined flour and trans fats and decided to eat elsewhere.
"No one pays me to participate in the protest. I'm doing this for the country," he said, while maintaining that there was nothing wrong with eating a burger after the demonstration.
NOT THE FIRST CONTROVERSY FOR DAHIYA
Before the latest controversy, Dahiya had also faced criticism on social media over his remarks on transgender people and for claiming that most women are "not political."
The action against Dahiya comes as the CJP continues its protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and question paper leaks.
The party's agitation intensified after police used force and detained several protesters during Monday's march towards Parliament, an incident that has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the Opposition and the Centre.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday removed its spokesperson, Vijeta Dahiya, after videos showing him at a burger outlet during the party's protest march in Delhi went viral on social media.
The party said it strongly condemned his "deeply insensitive actions" at a time when its members and supporters were allegedly facing police action.
"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 said.
Announcing disciplinary action, the CJP said Dahiya had been removed as spokesperson and stripped of all official responsibilities.
DAHIYA SPOTTED EATING BURGER
The controversy began after a video purportedly showed Dahiya, a political researcher and filmmaker, at a popular burger outlet in a Delhi mall while the CJP's protest was underway on Monday.
As the clip went viral, several social media users questioned why he was at a restaurant when protesters were allegedly being lathicharged and detained by police.
Another viral video showed a group confronting Dahiya at the outlet, asking why he was eating a burger instead of standing with protesters.
The timing of the video and the circumstances in which it was recorded could not be independently verified.
Responding to the criticism, Dahiya said he had taken part in the march and left only after it had ended.
"Why did I eat a burger? This has become such a big issue today. Why does anyone eat a burger? Because they're hungry. I was hungry too," he said in a video shared on social media.
He said he had not slept for two nights while working for the movement and had gone home to shower after leaving the protest before stopping for food.
"What people don't see is that I haven't slept for two nights. Neither have those who are part of the protest," he said.
In the caption accompanying his Instagram video, Dahiya added that he eventually did not eat the burger because he felt it contained refined flour and trans fats and decided to eat elsewhere.
"No one pays me to participate in the protest. I'm doing this for the country," he said, while maintaining that there was nothing wrong with eating a burger after the demonstration.
NOT THE FIRST CONTROVERSY FOR DAHIYA
Before the latest controversy, Dahiya had also faced criticism on social media over his remarks on transgender people and for claiming that most women are "not political."
The action against Dahiya comes as the CJP continues its protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and question paper leaks.
The party's agitation intensified after police used force and detained several protesters during Monday's march towards Parliament, an incident that has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the Opposition and the Centre.
