Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s planned march to Parliament today demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, the party spokesperson has claimed that the Narendra Modi government has reached out to them.
The CJP is set to take out a march, titled ‘Chalo Sansad’ today. There is heavy police deployment around the site and other key locations in the city. Authorities have also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma shared a public advisory on X on Sunday, saying that "Delhi Police categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession."
"Accordingly, protest marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more persons are strictly prohibited, except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar, with prior permission," the post read. The DCP warned that any person violating these prohibitory orders could face prosecution under Section 223 BNS and other applicable laws.
The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding the resignation of Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, systemic reforms in the examination process, and justice for all affected students. The march is strategically planned for Monday, which marks the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session.
If CJP’s claim is true, it will be the first hint of an olive branch from the Centre. The development comes even as Jantar Mantar, on Sunday, was filled with a sea of banners, slogans and a swelling crowd of supporters. People responded enthusiastically to a call for a night vigil by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, ahead of the march.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das claimed that close to 20,000 people were present "at and around Jantar Mantar" well before the main mobilisation was scheduled. In a post on the social media platform X, Das directly addressed Pradhan, saying, "... Dharmendra Pradhan -- your day of reckoning is here."
Actors Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjay Singh, and Gopal Rai were among famous personalities who visited the site to express solidarity with the movement.
"July 20 will be a historic day. The Centre will have to bow down," declared Bharadwaj. When asked if AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal would join, he said he had no information.
CJP members actively used social media, sharing photos and videos of the packed protest grounds and noting that people from across the country were arriving for the Monday mobilisation. In a video message to his supporters, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke urged them to remain at Jantar Mantar overnight. Appealing for calm and discipline, he added, "Our protest and march will be peaceful. I request everyone to follow the rules and follow the guidelines."
Dipke also confirmed that Wangchuk was continuing his indefinite hunger strike from Safdarjung Hospital, despite being removed by police early on Saturday. "As you saw, they took away Sonam sir forcefully, but his hunger strike is continuing in the hospital."
The CJP voiced concerns about potential police action. In posts on X, the organisation encouraged supporters to get to Jantar Mantar quickly, claiming that tear-gas equipment was being brought to the area and alleging that disruptive elements might try to infiltrate the crowd. The party strongly appealed to protesters to avoid any provocation and to maintain a peaceful demonstration.
At a nearby protest site, AISA activists Neha, Manish, and Aameen continued their indefinite hunger strike. Neha alleged that police had tried to remove them multiple times on Sunday, but fellow students and supporters had formed a human chain to protect them.
Following Wangchuk’s removal on Saturday, Dipke began his own indefinite hunger strike. On Sunday, his second day of fasting, Dipke said he now understood the physical challenges of a prolonged fast and appealed to the public to strengthen the movement by joining the Parliament march in large numbers.
