Men's rights activist Barkha Trehan came into the spotlight on Saturday after allegedly throwing ink at Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The incident occurred at around 1.20 pm while Dipke was addressing supporters. During his speech, he criticised the Delhi Police for what he described as the "tactical" removal of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site earlier in the day. He also questioned why police personnel had not arrived in uniform if their actions were legally justified.
As Dipke continued speaking, a woman approached the stage before allegedly throwing ink at him from close range. She was later identified as 32-year-old Barkha Trehan. According to the police, CJP supporters immediately restrained her and escorted her away from the stage before she was taken to Parliament Street police station.
Following the incident, Trehan defended her actions, stating that she had no objection to peaceful protests and denied having any association with a political party. She alleged that the CJP's protest had moved beyond the issue of the NEET examination and had instead become politically motivated.
Trehan also accused Dipke and others on stage of making derogatory remarks about Lord Ram and Goddess Sita. She said the act of throwing ink was intended as a form of protest against those remarks, adding that she could not tolerate insults directed at Hindu deities.
In a post on X, Trehan identified herself as the woman responsible for the incident. She stated that she acted because Dipke allegedly laughed when remarks were made about Lord Ram during the CJP event. Describing herself as a committed Hindu, she said she was deeply upset by the incident and viewed throwing ink as her form of protest.
Trehan further alleged that she was assaulted by CJP supporters immediately after the incident. She claimed that she was beaten and that her hair was pulled during the altercation.
Speaking to ANI, she said she had thrown ink solely as a symbolic protest because she felt compelled to respond. She also alleged that those present at the venue physically assaulted her after the incident.
Trehan additionally claimed that Sonam Wangchuk was being "used" by the organisers of the protest, drawing a comparison with social activist Anna Hazare.
According to the police, Trehan chanted "Jai Shri Ram" while being escorted away from the protest site. Officers also noted that her posts on X frequently criticise the Cockroach Janta Party. Her profile on the platform describes her as a "Hindu entrepreneur" and the "Voice of Men."
Who Is Barkha Trehan?
Barkha Trehan is a social activist and the chairperson of Purush Aayog (Men's Commission), an organisation that advocates for men's rights and campaigns for legal reforms relating to gender issues.
She has consistently argued that laws concerning dowry, domestic violence and marital disputes are often misused and has called for the creation of a statutory Men's Commission in India. Trehan has also advocated for gender-neutral legislation, arguing that legal protections should provide equal justice to both men and women.
Over the years, Trehan has been involved in several public controversies. She previously drew criticism after publicly supporting due process in the case involving former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar before his conviction in the Unnao rape case.
Police records indicate that Trehan was last present at Jantar Mantar on December 25, 2025, when she participated in a protest organised by Purush Aayog in support of Sengar, who was then facing rape charges in the Unnao case.
