Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the satirical online Cockroach Janta Party, has been diagnosed with typhoid.
For the past few week Dipke has been leading the protest against the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar and taking part in a hunger strike.
Dipke announced his health condition on X in a video message. In the clip, he thanked the CJP supporters, whom he referred to as cockroaches, for continuing to carry out the peaceful protest in the country. He also credited them for the success of the movement.
“Have been diagnosed with typhoid, but the fight will go on until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” the post read.
"Hello everyone. As you all know, I was not feeling well for the last few days. So, blood reports have come. And I have been diagnosed with typhoid. And my treatment is going on. I am getting IV drips every morning and evening. But I really want to thank all the cockroaches who are peacefully protesting all over the country. And you have made this movement so successful. A big, big thank you to all. And congratulations to you all for making this movement such a big, big success," he said in the video clip.
Dipke expressed confidence that the protest would achieve its objective and that the movement would continue until the education minister resigns.
On Friday, after Social and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced his decision to end his 26-day hunger strike, he asserted that the party’s agitation would continue.
Typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria and can be spread via contaminated water, food and unwashed fruit and vegetables.
The CJP had hardened its stance before the third round of talks with the centre.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh ranga on Saturday morning said that there is no point in further discussion if the government does not sack the education minister.
"Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is NON-NEGOTIABLE. If it's a no from the government, there's no point in further discussion," Ranka posted on X.
Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh are slated for a third round of talks on Saturday afternoon.
The ministers had told CJP protesters that they would get back to them on their three demands: resignation of Pradhan, a guarantee of no legal action against protesters, and Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide after the NEET paper leak.
The protest in Delhi and other parts of the country only intensified after Delhi police used tear gas and lathi-charged the youth protesters on July 20.
Ranka also criticised the recent action against 47 National Testing Agency officials, saying that the responsibility ultimately rests with the education minister.
