Politics · India · 5 hrs ago
Prashant Bhushan calls for regime change, BJP accuses opposition of seeking a coup
At a press conference in New Delhi, lawyer Prashant Bhushan called for regime change in India.
He said citizens have a democratic right to seek a change in government and argued that the Modi government was undermining electoral democracy and citizens’ rights.
The event also included activist Neha Bora and others, amid protests over electoral issues and the treatment of demonstrators.
The BJP accused Bhushan and opposition figures of seeking a coup, and alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s wider political circle wanted to create unrest like that in Bangladesh.
BJP leaders also criticised Bora over remarks they said showed inspiration from Bangladesh’s youth-led movement.
The dispute centres on whether calls for regime change are democratic protest or a threat to the government, with the two sides giving sharply different accounts.
The coverage does not say what action, if any, will follow.
Prashant Bhushan said at a press conference in New Delhi that he and others wanted regime change, describing it as a democratic right.
He accused the government of undermining electoral democracy and citizens’ rights.
The press conference also included activist Neha Bora, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, senior advocate Kapil Sibal and actor Prakash Raj.
BJP leaders Sambit Patra and Pradeep Bhandari accused the opposition group and Rahul Gandhi’s “ecosystem” of seeking a coup and creating Bangladesh-like disorder.
The BJP’s allegations were its response to the activists’ remarks; the articles do not independently establish those claims.
- Who
- Supreme Court senior advocate Prashant Bhushan spoke at a press conference; BJP leaders Sambit Patra and Pradeep Bhandari responded.
- What
- Bhushan said he and others wanted regime change, while BJP leaders accused the opposition group of seeking a coup.
- When
- Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Where
- A press conference was held in New Delhi; BJP leaders also addressed reporters at the party headquarters.
- Why
- Bhushan said the government was undermining electoral democracy and citizens’ rights. The BJP said the remarks showed an alleged intention to seize power and create disorder.
Prashant Bhushan and other activists
BJP
Meaning of regime change
Prashant Bhushan and other activists
Bhushan said regime change was a democratic right and that the group wanted to protect electoral democracy.
BJP
BJP leaders said the activists’ stated aim was to overthrow the government and take power.
Government and rights
Prashant Bhushan and other activists
Bhushan accused the government of trying to suppress electoral democracy and violate citizens’ rights.
BJP
BJP leaders accused the group of using those issues as a pretext for a coup.
Bangladesh movement
Prashant Bhushan and other activists
Bhushan credited students and youth organisations with leading the struggle.
BJP
BJP leaders said activists were inspired by Bangladesh and sought to create similar disorder in India.
Bhushan said CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained after going to Jantar Mantar to hoist the national flag.
Bhushan and others held a press conference in New Delhi, where he said they wanted regime change.
BJP leaders Sambit Patra and Pradeep Bhandari criticised the remarks and accused the opposition group of seeking a coup.
- Press conference
- New Delhi
- Date of press conference
- October 15, 2026
- People named as attendees
- Prashant Bhushan, Abhijit Dipke, Kapil Sibal, Prakash Raj and Neha Bora
- BJP response
- Sambit Patra and Pradeep Bhandari criticised the activists’ remarks
- Detention date cited by Bhushan
- October 12
3 sources
What people are saying
Regime change is every citizen’s democratic right, and expressing dissatisfaction with the government is not a crime.
There will definitely be regime change. Yes, we all want regime change. What is wrong with that?
Their only intention is to overthrow the country’s government and establish themselves by any means.
These are Neha Bora’s words, but the thinking behind them is Rahul Gandhi’s.
Posts on X
हमें देशविरोधी मंसूबों वाले लोगों से सावधान रहने की जरूरत है। आज जिस प्रकार से प्रशांत भूषण और नेहा बोरा की प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंसेज हुई हैं और उनकी बातों में जिस प्रकार की देश के प्रति गद्दारी झलकी है, ये बेहद चौंकाने वाला है। प्रशांत भूषण ने कहा कि यह लड़ाई 'रिजीम चेंज' की है और हम
Delhi: Advocate Prashant Bhushan says, "There will definitely be a regime change. We all want a regime change. Is there anything wrong with that?..."