NEW DELHI: “Why did I eat a burger? This is a big issue today.” Vijeta Dahiya’s question came after a video of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson eating a burger at a fast-food outlet near Jantar Mantar during the police crackdown on the outfit’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march triggered criticism on social media.Defending his action, Dahiya said he was hungry and argued that people were overlooking the work done by those involved in the protest.“So why does anyone eat a burger? He is hungry. He wants to eat a burger. That’s it. So I was also very hungry. And when you eat something good, your mind feels good,” he said in a video, according to news agency PTI.The video showed Dahiya at the fast-food outlet while police were using force against protesters attempting to march towards Parliament. In the clip, a person is also seen questioning why he was at the restaurant instead of being with the protesters, PTI reported.Dahiya also said people did not see that he had not slept for two nights, just like those who were at the protest site.“What people don’t see is that I haven’t slept for two nights, just like those who are at the protest site. You hold me accountable as if it is my job to be a protester. You haven’t elected me to this position,” Dahiya said in Hindi, according to PTI.The controversy came a day after police on Monday used batons and tear gas shells to disperse protesters during the CJP’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, organised to press for accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.The CJP, however, took a dim view of Dahiya’s conduct and removed him as spokesperson on Tuesday, saying his actions were inconsistent with the values and principles of the movement.In a statement, the CJP said it “strongly condemn[s] the deeply insensitive actions” of Dahiya, whose videos surfaced while peaceful protesters and the party’s team were facing police violence.“Such conduct is unacceptable, shows a complete lack of judgment, and is wholly inconsistent with the values and principles of our movement,” the statement said.“In response, we are removing Vijeta Dahiya as spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party and relieving him of all the official duties,” it added.(With agency inputs)
