New Delhi: Expelled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya defended his decision to briefly leave the protest site after Monday's march to Parliament, saying he was physically exhausted after spending long hours with protesters. However, during an interview with TIMES NOW, he did not directly answer repeated questions on the alleged heckling and harassment of women journalists by protesters.Dahiya's remarks came amid a political storm after the CJP announced it was severing ties with him, accusing him of conduct it described as "deeply insensitive" during the protest over the NEET issue.
'I Hadn't Slept Or Eaten Properly'
Responding to questions over why he had left the protest site after the march was stopped, Dahiya said he had been running on little sleep and food and had only gone home briefly before planning to return."I had not slept or eaten properly and was exhausted. So let me quickly go home, freshen up and return here, so that I will be able to manage all the people and everything," he said.Rejecting allegations that he had abandoned the protesters, Dahiya insisted he had been actively involved throughout the protest."Portraying it in a way that Vijeta Dahiya was not there, that is a blatant lie. Any protester, you can go and ask them. I have been there for entire nights. I've been there for entire days, standing on my feet for 10 hours, 11 hours," he said.
Dodges Questions On Journalists Being Heckled
During the interview, Dahiya was repeatedly asked about reports that media personnel, including TIMES NOW reporters, were heckled and harassed by protesters while covering the demonstration.The reporter questioned why journalists had allegedly required assistance from the Delhi Police while carrying out their work and asked why the CJP had decided to distance itself from him.Instead of directly addressing the allegations involving journalists, Dahiya defended his own actions during the protest and maintained that he had remained committed to the movement despite briefly leaving to rest.He also did not directly respond to questions on why the CJP had described her actions as "deeply insensitive" while announcing her expulsion.
CJP Distances Itself From Dahiya
The controversy erupted after the CJP publicly announced that it was parting ways with Dahiya following criticism over her conduct during the protest. The organisation said his actions did not reflect the values of the movement, though it did not elaborate further on the reasons behind its decision.The development comes a day after the CJP-led march to Parliament over the NEET issue turned violent, with clashes breaking out between protesters and security personnel. The Delhi Police used lathicharge and tear gas to disperse the crowd, while the CJP alleged that several students were injured during the crackdown. Police, however, accused protesters of engaging in violence, pelting stones and vandalising vehicles.
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