Questions were raised over the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) delay and indecisiveness in extending its support to the protesting students of Jharkhand. Supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its NDA alliance partners were vocal about the lack of enthusiasm among CJP ranks to embrace student protests happening in Opposition-ruled states.
However, following a core team meeting of the youth movement held in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Wednesday, Abhijeet Dipke himself confirmed that the CJP will soon reach Jharkhand in support of the students protesting there over alleged irregularities in the state public service examination and other recruitment tests.
"We will definitely go to Jharkhand, we will stand with them and support their every demand in the agitation," Dipke told the press. Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium has been witnessing protests and a hunger strike since July 29.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, meanwhile, spoke to Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on a hunger strike against the alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, and urged him to at least drink water. Heeding his request, Mahto had water on the fourth day of his fast. Wangchuk has been declared as their mentor by the CJP leadership.
On Tuesday night, five people under the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch banner began an indefinite hunger strike as the protest intensified ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly.
With this, the number of people on hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium has risen to six.
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha member Devendra Nath Mahto has been fasting at the same venue for the past four days.
The spokesperson of the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch, Jivan Kumar, said, "Our five friends, including two women, went on hunger strike from Tuesday night to press for our demands".
A core committee meeting will be held shortly to decide on taking out a 'Tiranga March' in support of students' demands, he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
