Washington, D.C.: American singer Mary Millben and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke have exchanged sharp remarks over allegations of foreign funding to the outfit, which has been participating in protests in India against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The exchange took place on social media amid protests in New Delhi by opposition parties and the CJP, demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Millben, in a series of posts on X, alleged that the CJP was receiving funds from donors in the United States who opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his leadership. She urged young Indians to organise peaceful counter-protests against what she described as the party’s “disruptive spirit”.
The American singer claimed that certain US donors followed a pattern of targeting conservative leaders globally by identifying US-educated individuals in their countries, radicalising them and funding movements that could create instability.
She called upon young Indians to raise their voices in support of democracy and freedom, asserting that Modi would not bow to disruptive forces from the United States.
Dipke hit back at Millben, questioning the right of foreign nationals to interfere in India’s internal affairs.
“We are more than capable of dealing with our own issues. We don’t need outsiders interfering in our country’s affairs,” he said, also questioning why the Prime Minister would seek American support to discredit Indian citizens.
Millben subsequently defended Modi, saying he did not need American support as he had the backing of Indian citizens. She cited his 12 years as Prime Minister and three consecutive terms in office, predicting that he would receive another mandate in the 2029 general elections.
She also warned Dipke that his alleged US donors could abandon him if his political efforts failed, adding that “lawlessness never wins”. Millben urged him to use his education and talent constructively and engage with Modi to contribute positively to India’s development.
The singer reiterated that India needed a new voice, rooted in the country’s own soil, to organise peaceful opposition to what she described as disruptive forces.
Meanwhile, Dipke has called upon patriots to gather in Delhi with the national flag on October 16 and urged similar ‘tiranga marches’ in other cities.
His remarks came after CJP leader Saurav Das and others were sent to five days of judicial custody following their detention in connection with the protests.
Millben, a 41-year-old African-American singer and actress, is known in India for her rendition of the national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’, and the devotional song ‘Om Jai Jagdish Hare’. She sang India’s national anthem at an event in the US during Modi’s visit in 2023.
