New Delhi: As debate rages over activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, Cockroach Janata Party spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya has come under fire for eating a burger.
A viral clip that surfaced after the CJP’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march appeared to show Dahiya at a fast-food outlet near the protest site at Jantar Mantar. The person filming confronted him and questioned why he was there and not with protesters as they clashed with police during an attempted march toward Parliament.
“The protesters are being beaten with sticks, and you’re roaming around here? What kind of support is this?” the person can be heard asking in Hindi.
Dahiya initially ignored the questions and kept walking, but eventually stopped to speak to the camera person.
“You’re behaving like a joke,” he said calmly.
Dahiya has now posted a video response— while munching on a burger— saying that he was hungry after a long night of protesting and that the controversy was “bakwas” (rubbish).
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Food fight
The clip circulated widely on social media, with many asking where CJP leaders were while young protesters faced a lathi charge and tear gas.
“I am seriously empathetic for the victims of Lathi charge. The so-called leaders of the protest have done nothing made youngsters fool,” read a comment under the video.
“This guy was not seen anywhere. Condolences to those who came there on these fellows’ words,” complained another.
In his response, Dahiya dismissed claims that he had abandoned the protest and said those criticising him were people who had not attended the march.
“You hold me accountable as if it is my job to be a protestor. You haven’t elected me to this position,” he said in Hindi.
In the caption, he also updated his followers on the status of the burger that set off the brouhaha: “By the way, I didnt eat the burger, because I felt that it has maida and transfats, and maybe I should eat elsewhere.”
Dahiya’s video drew over 11,000 comments on Instagram, with some expressing solidarity and others refusing to be assuaged.
“Vijeta, no hate to you, but don’t pretend to be a leader na then… you eat your burger in peace,” read one.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)