New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das on Friday questioned the criminal case registered against a 25-year-old woman who allegedly used abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Das described the FIR as a misuse of the criminal justice system and argued that while abusive or offensive language could be condemned, it should not automatically lead to criminal proceedings. The woman was allegedly seen making objectionable remarks against the Prime Minister during the July 23 Jantar Mantar protest, and a video of the incident later circulated widely on social media. According to the police, she was booked on allegations including intentional insult, public mischief and defamation after a complaint was lodged at the Expressway police station in Noida. Police registered a "zero FIR" before transferring the case to Parliament Street police station in New Delhi, where the alleged incident took place. A zero FIR allows a complaint to be registered at a police station irrespective of where the alleged offence occurred, after which it can be transferred to the police station having jurisdiction.

Reacting to the case, Das said profanity by itself should not result in a criminal case and accused authorities of unnecessarily targeting young protesters. In a post on X, he questioned why police resources were being used against a 25-year-old woman and referred to criminal cases involving members of Parliament while making his argument. Speaking separately to news agency ANI, Das asked when using abusive language had become a criminal offence in the country. He said such language was used in everyday life and maintained that deploying the criminal justice machinery against protesters in this manner was unjustifiable. Das nevertheless described the alleged remarks as condemnable, while appealing to the government and police to stop what he called harassment of young people. His comments came amid continuing political debate surrounding the recent CJP-led protests at Jantar Mantar and the police response to demonstrations over examination-related issues.

The complaint in the case was filed by Ghaziabad resident Smriti Singh, who approached Noida Police on Wednesday. According to the complaint cited in the FIR, the woman allegedly used abusive and objectionable language in public against the Prime Minister. Singh alleged that the remarks affected the dignity of a constitutional office and were intended to spread hatred and disturb public peace. She also claimed that several videos circulating on social media showed the woman making abusive remarks about Modi and his mother. Singh said she identified the woman with the help of her friends through social media before approaching police and seeking action. The case has now been sent to Parliament Street police station for further investigation. Das, meanwhile, has maintained that offensive speech should be criticised without using criminal proceedings to target young protesters. The police investigation will determine how the allegations and provisions cited in the FIR are taken forward.

A fresh political controversy erupted on Wednesday after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of authorising the use of force against students during the July 20 protest in Delhi. The remarks, made during the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, drew strong objections from the treasury benches and prompted an immediate response from the government. Gandhi alleged that the home minister had "ordered the students of India to be shot" and claimed that only the Prime Minister or the Home Minister could authorise such action. Referring to the alleged use of pellet guns during the protest, he argued that if Shah had not issued such an order, then he was unaware of what had happened on the ground. Gandhi also questioned the absence of the home minister from the House during the debate, saying he should answer the allegations.

The controversy gained further momentum after Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das backed Rahul Gandhi's claims and demanded accountability from the Union Home Minister. In a post on X, Das said Gandhi's remarks raised "serious concerns" about Amit Shah's role in the July 20 police action and called for an explanation from the Centre. He alleged that a student had permanently lost vision because of the police crackdown and said every life was valuable, adding that the home minister must answer questions surrounding the incident. The CJP's statement came days after the party ended its month-long protest following the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The student agitation over alleged examination irregularities has remained at the centre of political debate, with Opposition parties repeatedly accusing the government of using excessive force against demonstrators.

The BJP strongly rejected Rahul Gandhi's allegations, calling them baseless and unsupported by evidence. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju interrupted Gandhi's speech and asked him to produce proof for his claims. "You said the Home Minister ordered firing. Show the order," Rijiju said, demanding that the Congress leader withdraw his remarks and apologise. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also reminded members that serious allegations against individuals cannot be made in the House without prior notice and supporting evidence. Speaking to reporters later, Rijiju said the government was upset because Rahul Gandhi had focused more on political accusations than on the provisions of the anti-paper leak bill. He also clarified that ministers do not issue orders for police firing and that such decisions fall within the authority of the magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate present at the spot.

The exchange has once again brought the July 20 protest under the political spotlight. Reports citing a Delhi Police station diary entry have claimed that pellet rounds were used during the protest on the orders of a senior police officer, adding another layer to the ongoing debate. However, responding in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Jitendra Singh rejected Rahul Gandhi's allegations and asserted that no shots were fired during the protest. He said only tear gas had been used to control the situation and reiterated that orders to open fire, if ever required, are issued by the magistrate and not by a Union minister. With both sides standing by their positions, the controversy is expected to continue even after Parliament cleared the anti-paper leak bill, keeping the focus on the government's handling of the student protests as much as on the examination reforms themselves.

Speaking during an interview with journalist Barkha Dutt on The Mojo Story, Das said public disagreements should be resolved through dialogue rather than prolonged hostility. He argued that India’s culture of discussion and debate has weakened in recent years and stressed that conversations remain the best way to bridge ideological differences.

Das also revealed that he had previously appealed to Ranaut through an Instagram Story, urging her to remain calm and engage in discussion instead of escalating the exchange.

Recalling the public attention generated by their online confrontation, Das shared a lighter moment involving one of his friends. According to him, several friends questioned why Ranaut had continued targeting him on social media. One of them jokingly remarked that he looked “a little like a young Hrithik Roshan.” Das laughed off the comparison and admitted he was surprised by the comment.

When asked whether he would be willing to meet Kangana Ranaut for coffee, Das replied that he had no objection. He said he does not view political opponents as personal enemies and insisted that differences in opinion should not translate into personal hostility.

The latest remarks come against the backdrop of an ongoing war of words between Das and Ranaut over recent student protests and political developments. Their exchange intensified after Das criticised Ranaut's comments on the protests, suggesting that even members of her own party did not take her remarks seriously and that others need not do so either.

Ranaut responded sharply to the criticism through a series of social media posts, targeting Das personally while continuing to defend her position on the protests. She also posted multiple statements expressing strong views on public demonstrations, political accountability and youth culture, triggering widespread debate online.

The disagreement emerged after the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, following which Ranaut repeatedly commented on student protests through her social media accounts. In one post, she criticised violent demonstrations and warned that damaging public property would invite public backlash. She argued that those who express harsh criticism in public should also be prepared to face criticism themselves.

In subsequent posts, the BJP MP also expressed concern over what she described as changing attitudes among sections of urban youth, particularly regarding independence, responsibility and social values. Her remarks drew mixed reactions across social media, with supporters backing her views while critics accused her of making sweeping generalisations.

Das, however, maintained during the interview that disagreements should remain within the boundaries of public debate. He reiterated that criticism is part of democratic discourse and expressed hope that conversations, rather than personal attacks, would dominate political engagement.

The exchange between the two has attracted significant attention on social media, where supporters of both figures have continued debating their statements. While neither side has indicated any plans for a direct meeting, Das's willingness to engage in conversation has added a fresh dimension to the ongoing political and social media sparring.