Chandigarh, June 7: Democratic frameworks grant every citizen and organization the fundamental right to protest and express opinions, but political entities must maintain dignified identities, Haryana Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister Anil Vij stated on Sunday. Addressing media queries regarding his recent social media commentary directed at the Cockroach Janata Party, the minister noted that while political struggle is fully protected, the group’s office-bearers should reconsider their choice of nomenclature.
The minister elaborated on his public statements, describing the chosen insect as an unwanted pest that individuals instinctively reject. He noted that while the state respects democratic dissent, using a fundamentally unappealing name degrades the serious nature of civic advocacy.
Turning to institutional politics, the minister addressed recent demands by Haryana Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda regarding the scheduling of legislative sessions. The minister noted that opposition members consistently show a lack of serious commitment during active Assembly sessions. He stated that rather than engaging in productive policy debates, opposition representatives routinely exit the House the moment treasury benches or the Chief Minister begin providing detailed answers to their queries.
The minister stated that the main opposition party treats democratic processes with superficiality, prioritizing personal headlines over substantial policy analysis. He maintained that this focus on constant publicity, whether positive or negative, shapes their legislative strategy.
Regarding the recent preventive detention of opposition leader Deepender Singh Hooda, the minister noted that administrative bodies do not utilize selective targeting. He stated that the preservation of law, public order, and community safety remains the exclusive mandate of designated law enforcement agencies.
“This is a democracy—everyone has the right to struggle, but you should change your name,” Minister Anil Vij stated when detailing his social media communications to reporters. “Cockroach is the name of a very filthy insect. Even a small child crushes it with a slipper on seeing it.”
The minister further affirmed that the electorate’s ongoing decisions at the polls reflect a conscious rejection of the opposition’s legislative patterns.
“The Congress party is making a mockery of democracy,” Anil Vij declared. “They have nothing substantial to say. Their only concern is publicity. They just want their names to appear in newspapers, whether the coverage is positive or negative.”
