New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), on Tuesday, removed Vijeta Dahiya from the post of Official Spokesperson, saying it “strongly condemns” his “deeply insensitive actions” after videos of him having a burger during Monday’s protest in the national capital surfaced on social media.
The party said the videos emerged at a time when “peaceful protestors and our team were facing brutal police violence”, describing Dahiya’s conduct as inconsistent with the movement’s values, in a post on X.
“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 CJP said.
The party announced disciplinary action and said it was removing Dahiya as its spokesperson and relieving him of all official responsibilities.
A video, whose authenticity has not been independently verified, purportedly showed Dahiya at a popular fast-food outlet in Delhi during Monday’s Parliament march organised by the CJP.
Several social media users questioned Dahiya’s absence from the protest site while demonstrators were allegedly being lathicharged and detained by the police after the video went viral.
Dahiya also released a video claiming he had participated in the march but left after realising it was over.
“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.
Critics were ignoring the sacrifices made by those involved in the protest, he said, as reported by Hindustan Times.
“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, adding that he had gone home to take a shower after leaving the march before stopping for food.
Dahiya is reported to be a political researcher, author, filmmaker and content creator. He worked on political research and content development for several YouTube creators, the CJP said while appointing him as a spokesperson.
Some media reports claimed that he also contributed research and writing support to creator Dhruv Rathee.
An alumnus of the Delhi Technological University, Dahiya is also said to have built a career in writing and filmmaking.
He authored two books – Power of Universe and To Hell With That Job – that have reportedly done well. He is also credited with writing and directing the Haryanvi films Darare and Opri Parai.
On social media, he describes himself as an admirer of Bhagat Singh, Swami Vivekananda, Rosa Luxemburg ane Lord Buddha.
