Former CJP spokesperson Vijyeta Dahiya opens up about burger video controversy, says movement is bigger than me
Former CJP spokesperson Vijyeta Dahiya on Wednesday defended himself after being removed from his post over a viral video showing him eating a burger while protesters marched towards Parliament. Dismissing the criticism as propaganda, the former spokesperson said his contribution to the movement should not be judged by a single video and maintained that he had devoted himself to the protest from the beginning.
Speaking after the controversy, Dahiya explained the circumstances behind the viral video and said he had stepped away only after the Parliament march had concluded and protesters were returning to Jantar Mantar. He said he intended to go home briefly before returning later, as his presence was required during the evening.
“Every protester knows that I have given my sweat and blood for the entire protest. I have stood for not 12 hours straight on my feet, debunking all the propaganda, attending guests and delegations and doing all sorts of stuff. So it is not about the protesters, it is propaganda,” Dahiya told NDTV.
Responding to the CJP’s decision to remove him as spokesperson, Dahiya said he accepted the move if it benefited the larger cause. “If you give one sacrifice and if this strengthens the movement, then so be it. Vijyeta is not so important. The movement and the larger cause are important. So I have no problem,” he said.
The CJP distanced itself from Dahiya after the video surfaced online, saying his conduct was inconsistent with the values of the movement. In a statement, the CJP said it strongly condemns the deeply insensitive actions of Dahiya and described his conduct as unacceptable, adding that it reflected a complete lack of judgment.
Dahiya also rejected criticism that the Parliament march lacked leadership, saying CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had gone to meet Union Minister J.P. Nadda after the government initiated talks.
According to Dahiya, the protest was briefly delayed while the discussions took place, but protesters eventually insisted on proceeding with the march. “Seeing the government’s urgency, we had delayed the protests. But then the protesters started shouting slogans and were getting restless. So we started the march,” he said.
The CJP has said Das and Ranka met Nadda after the Centre reached out for talks and submitted a memorandum listing the party’s demands.
Addressing the viral burger video, Dahiya said he saw nothing wrong with eating after spending hours at the protest. “If someone is hungry, then there is nothing wrong about eating. I am not the kind of person who would romanticise hunger. Every person in India has the right to food and a dignified life. If I had not eaten anything for a long time and I was hungry, and I had a burger, I don’t see why people should come after me for that,” he said.
The controversy comes a day after clashes during the CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, during which police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse protesters marching towards Parliament over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak.