CJP gears up for march, 20,000 gather at Jantar Mantar, Delhi tightens security
Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed march to Parliament on Monday to press for education reforms, political leaders, actors and supporters gathered at Jantar
Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed march to Parliament on Monday to press for education reforms, political leaders, actors and supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday, while the police said no permission had been sought or granted for any such procession. The planned 'Chalo Sansad' march coincides with the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Read Full Story The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, reforms in the examination system and justice for affected students. Even as opposition leaders backed the protest, the authorities put in place heavy security arrangements and warned against any unauthorised march towards Parliament. Police sources said they were determined to stop any procession towards the high-security zone. "We are determined not to allow any unauthorised march towards the high-security zone," police sources said, adding that prohibitory orders were in force in New Delhi district and warning against any violation. Several entry points have been turned into high-security zones with multi-layered barricades, enhanced surveillance, anti-sabotage checks and round-the-clock patrolling in New Delhi, Central Delhi and parts of North Delhi, the sources said. On Sunday, activist Sonam Wangchuk sent out a message through his wife from Safdarjung Hospital, where he was forcibly taken by police on Saturday. He described Monday's mobilisation as "India's second freedom movement" and called for "freedom from injustice" over alleged paper leaks and "freedom from fear" over what he called his "illegal detention".
He appealed to people to make the Parliament march a "big success". CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, in a video message, asked supporters to stay at Jantar Mantar through the night. "Our protest is going on. Please come here in large numbers. Stay here for the night. If you don't come, they will try to end the protest," he said. He also appealed for calm, saying, "Our protest and march will be peaceful. I request everyone to follow the rules and follow the guidelines." Addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali Angmo said he would end his hunger strike on Monday if political leaders visited him at Safdarjung Hospital and assured him that the issue of education accountability would be raised during the Monsoon Session. "Sonam has requested all of us to take tomorrow's march peacefully and ensure that this protest is not misused," Angmo said. Actors Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj visited the protest site during the day. They joined Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and AAP leader Manish Sisodia in expressing support for the agitation. Sisodia urged all political parties to join the protest. CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das claimed that nearly 20,000 people were "at and around Jantar Mantar" even before the scheduled mobilisation. In a post on X, he said, "20,000 people are at and around Jantar Mantar. And it's not even July 20 yet. Dharmendra Pradhan -- your day of reckoning is here." CJP members also shared photographs and videos on social media showing the site packed with supporters and claimed that people from different parts of the country had started arriving for Monday's mobilisation.
The BriefWire