‘Deeply insensitive’: CJP removes spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya over burger video

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, suspended its spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya after a video surfaced showing her eating a hamburger during police intervention in the group’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march.

In a statement, CJP said Mr. Dahiya’s behavior was inconsistent with the values ​​of the movement.

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Responding to criticism, Mr Dahiya said he had not seen people not sleeping for two nights, just like those at the protest site. “You hold me responsible as if it was my job to be a protester.”

The CJP condemned Mr Dahiya’s “highly insensitive actions”.

“We strongly condemn the extremely insensitive actions of our Spokesperson, Vijeta Dahiya, whose videos emerged while peaceful protesters and our team faced brutal police brutality. Such behavior is unacceptable, demonstrates a complete lack of judgment, and is completely incompatible with the values ​​and principles of our movement,” the statement said.

“In response, we dismiss Vijeta Dahiya as the spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party and relieve her of all official duties,” the statement said.

The row broke out after a video circulating on social media showed Mr Dahiya at a fast food restaurant near Jantar Mantar, where police used force against protesters trying to march towards Parliament. In the clip, one person is also seen questioning why he (Mr. Dahiya) was in the restaurant instead of being with the protesters.

Responding to the criticism, Mr. Dahiya posted a video of himself eating a burger and denied the controversy.

“Why did I eat a hamburger? This is a big issue today. So why does a person eat a hamburger? He is hungry. He wants to eat a hamburger. That’s it. I was very hungry too. And when you eat something good, your mind feels good,” he said.

He also said people were ignoring the work done by those participating in the protest.

“What people fail to see is that, just like those at the protest site, I have not slept for two nights. You are holding me responsible as if it was my job to be a protester. You did not elect me to this position,” Mr. Dahiya said in Hindi.

The controversy came a day after the police used batons and tear gas shells to disperse protesters during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march organized by the CJP on Monday (July 20, 2026) to press for accountability over allegations of irregularities in competitive exams and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.