As the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday removed its spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya from the post following a video showing him eating a burger during the police crackdown on protesters at Jantar Mantar, a report has detailed the purported conversation between CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and Dahiya.
The CJP removed Dahiya on Tuesday, stating that Dahiya's conduct was inconsistent with the values of the movement.
However, Dahiya said Dipke had a phone conversation with him before firing him. Dahiya told a news channel that Dipke told him “he was no longer needed” for protests, and instructed him to resign.
Dahiya said he believed Dipke was calling him to ask about his well-being after a video went viral showing some people pushing him. “When Abhijeet suddenly called, I thought he was asking, 'Vijeta bhai, are you alright? I saw a video of someone pushing you.’ But Abhijeet suddenly said, 'Vijeta, don't come, you're not needed anymore.' It was a complete shock to me. I told him, 'Abhijeet, we can see that these pro-government folks are doing all this; they've been doing this for months to defame the movement. They've even played your video eating kachori, but I've defended you. I've countered every propaganda. Why are we bowing down to them now?'"
Dahiya said Dipke told him his resignation was in the best interests of the movement, but he refused. Dahiya said, "Abhijeet felt that it was in the best interest of the movement if he resigned. So I said, 'Look, I won't resign, just fire me,' he told the news channel.
The controversy broke out after Dahiya was caught on camera at a burger joint in Delhi while protesters were being lathi-charged by the police. Dahiya later attempted to clarify the video, stating he had participated in the march, but then realised it was over and went home to shower.
"Why did I eat a burger? This is a big issue today. So why does anyone eat a burger? He is hungry. He wants to eat a burger. That's it. So I was also very hungry. And when you eat something good, your mind feels good," he said.
He said there was nothing wrong with eating a burger if someone was hungry, but later claimed he did not consume it as it contained refined flour and trans fats. "I've been working tirelessly for one and a half months for this cause. I've been involved in protests and haven't slept for over two nights. Those who were at the protest know it all," Dahiya said.
"You hold me accountable as if it is my job to be a protester," Dahiya was heard saying in his clarification video.
