Reported by Srirupa Goswami
Vijeta Dahiya, the sacked former spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) told The Indian Express on Wednesday that he was “shocked” by the decision taken by the leadership of the activist platform.
“[When CJP leaders called] I thought they would ask me how I was doing after the viral, controversial videos [of showing him away from Monday’s “Sansad Chalo” march], but I was told, ‘Vijeta, please don’t come [to the protest],’” Dahiya said.
“I was totally shocked. I asked, ‘What happened?’ They said, ‘We just saw the burger video'”, he added.
‘Lack of judgement’: CJP
The CJP removed Dahiya after videos circulating online showed him away from Monday’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march and munching on a burger, allegedly at the same time as protesters were braving police lathis and tear gas elsewhere in the city. In a post on X, the CJP said Dahiya’s conduct “shows a complete lack of judgment, and is wholly inconsistent with the values and principles of our movement”.
‘Burger became bigger than police brutality’: Dahiya
The controversy intensified after Dahiya posted a video defending himself while eating the burger, saying, “Why did I eat a burger?” and “I was very hungry; also, when you eat something good, your mind feels good.” He also argued that critics were ignoring his exhaustion due to constant presence at the protest, adding, “What people don’t see is that I haven’t slept for two nights. Neither have those who are part of the protest.”
Speaking exclusively to The Indian Express, Dahiya said, “If I was in the metro station, it’s not like I was coming from Ladakh. Of course, I was coming from the protest itself,” he said, adding that he had marched with the demonstrators before leaving briefly. Dahiya said that he intended to return after freshening up.
“I thought people would return to Jantar Mantar, and that was when I would be needed the most, for addressing people, crowd management and everything.” Instead, he said, the focus shifted away from the protest itself. “People are not questioning the police or the government. Suddenly, everything becomes about CJP, and particularly about Vijeta Dahiya because of that burger.”
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‘Propaganda’, ‘trolls’ amplified controversy
Dahiya maintained that the backlash over the viral videos was driven by “propaganda”, arguing that attention had shifted away from the alleged police action on protesters. He also argued that ordinary acts such as eating, laughing or dancing during a movement were often unfairly moralised in our society.
Dahiya also accused the BJP’s online ecosystem of amplifying the controversy. “For the BJP IT cell, this is not a side job. This is their main job to keep creating ruckus. If you don’t remove Vijeta, they’ll create ruckus. If you do remove Vijeta, they’ll still create ruckus,” he said, adding, “The best we can do is debunk their propaganda.”
‘Premanand Maharaj’ and the question of communalism
Dahiya also revisited his recent remarks on spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj, which had sparked criticism within sections of the movement.
When asked whether his remarks on the spiritual leader risked giving the movement a communal colour, Dahiya disagreed. “Those were views I had expressed earlier on my personal Instagram,” he said.
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‘Still part of the team’
Despite his removal, Dahiya said he remained committed to the movement’s core demands. “I will continue using my Instagram to counter propaganda, advance the cause and create better public discourse,” he added.
When asked whether he would return if invited back, Dahiya replied, “Of course I am with the cause, and I am anyway part of the team, just that I am no longer a formal member.”
On alleged transphobia and remarks on women
Asked about past controversies, including remarks on women and comments some critics described as transphobic, Dahiya said challenging conventions inevitably attracts criticism. “Whenever you challenge conventions, it will naturally become controversial,” he said.
He added that while he knew “what gets views” and “what people clap for”, he preferred to speak on issues he believed mattered. “Whatever I see as wrong, I speak about it. If that becomes controversial for people, so be it,” he said.
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Dahiya also addressed criticism over his viral dance videos, rejected suggestions that his conduct had undermined the campaign, and shared a message to “keep fighting” for the current leadership.
