CJP Sacks Spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya Over Viral Burger Video

CJP Removes Vijeta Dahiya As Official Spokesperson

The CJP, while announcing disciplinary action against Dahiya, said he has been removed from the post of spokesperson and has been stripped of all official duties.

"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.

“In response, we are removing Vijeta Dahiya as spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party and relieving him of all the official duties," it added.

Dahiya Defends Himself, Cites Exhaustion And Hunger 

In an Instagram video addressing the criticism, Dahiya said that he had been actively involved in the movement for one and a half months and had not slept properly for the last two nights. He also questioned the logic behind making eating a burger a cause of concern.

"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," Dahiya said

"What people don't see is that I haven't slept for two nights. Neither have those who are part of the protest," he added.

The CJP issued the disciplinary action against Dahiya hours after he released a video, and said it dissociates itself from his actions which it added, do not represent the party’s values.

Viral Burger Video Sparks Outrage During Protest

The controversy started with a video circulating online that claimed to show Dahiya at a popular burger outlet in a Delhi mall while the CJP's protest was under way in the capital on Monday. Several social media users questioned why he was found dining at the outlet at a time when, they alleged, police were manhandling and detaining protestors.

Another video shared online showed a group confronting Dahiya at the burger outlet asking him why he was enjoying food when other protestors were struggling. Before this incident, Dahiya was already trolled for his comments on transgender people and his assertion that a majority of women are "not political".

Protests Over Exam Leaks Intensify After Police Crackdown

The CJP held a protest at Jantar Mantar to demand Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation following alleged question paper leaks and examination irregularities. The CJP's protests have intensified following a crackdown on their protest march towards Parliament on Monday where police allegedly used force and detained several protestors.

This development has sparked political tensions between the Opposition and the Centre. Earlier, activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly taken to a hospital, ending his 21-day hunger strike on Saturday in support of the youth and the CJP movement. On Monday evening, Wangchuk said he would resume his hunger strike from his hospital bed following a police crackdown on protesting students.

The CJP revealed that two leaders of their party had a meeting with Union Minister JP Nadda and handed him a letter with their demands after receiving an offer for talks from the government on Tuesday morning. Nadda confirmed meeting CJP leaders, describing the discussions as "cordial" while stating that it was the CJP who requested talks.