Archive · 18 Aug 2026
CJP Kolkata meet cancelled; Ranka alleges BJP hall threats
A small group in India is called the Cockroach Janta Party.
Its leader, Ashutosh Ranka, wanted to have a meeting with his friends in Kolkata.
He says the meeting was cancelled because another political party scared the people who own the meeting hall.
He says six other halls also said no because of pressure from the state.
He also wanted to talk to newspaper reporters, but the power went out at the press club.
The leader is upset about a sad event in Bankura.
A man whose son works with the party was hurt at his home and later died at a hospital.
The party wants the people who hurt him to be caught and punished.
The party says it will keep helping fix government schools no matter what.
CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka said the party's Kolkata meet-up at Bharat Sabha hall in north Kolkata was cancelled after owners allegedly received threats from BJP leaders.
Ranka said six other halls refused to host the meeting, citing massive pressure from the state.
His planned press conference at the Press Club, Kolkata was also cancelled following a power supply disruption from Monday night onwards.
Ranka issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Suvendu Adhikari government to arrest all accused in the death of the father of a CJP volunteer from Bankura's Indas.
Sheikh Mohammad Mafik, father of CJP volunteer Sheikh Abdul Hafeez, died on Saturday after being assaulted at his home in Karishunda village last Thursday.
- Who
- Ashutosh Ranka, co-convenor of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), alleged the cancellations; Sheikh Mohammad Mafik, father of CJP volunteer Sheikh Abdul Hafeez, died after an assault.
- What
- The CJP's Kolkata meet-up and press conference were cancelled, and Ranka alleged political pressure from BJP leaders while demanding arrests in the death of a volunteer's father.
- When
- The meet-up was scheduled for Tuesday; Mafik was assaulted last Thursday and died on Saturday; the 10-day ultimatum was served on Monday.
- Where
- Kolkata (Bharat Sabha hall in north Kolkata and the Press Club, Kolkata); Karishunda village in Bankura's Indas; Mafik died at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital.
- Why
- Ranka claimed political pressure from BJP leaders forced hall owners to cancel the event, and he is seeking arrests and a court-monitored investigation in the death case.
- Organisation
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Leader
- Ashutosh Ranka, co-convenor
- Cancelled event
- Kolkata meet-up at Bharat Sabha hall, north Kolkata (scheduled Tuesday)
- Halls that refused
- Six other halls, citing massive pressure from the state
- Press conference
- Cancelled at Press Club, Kolkata after power disruption from Monday night
- Victim
- Sheikh Mohammad Mafik, died Saturday at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital
- Ultimatum
- 10 days to arrest all accused in the death case
- Demands
- Court-monitored investigation into Indas police station; a school named after Mafik
