The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered its second day on Sunday, with founder Abhijeet Dipke making a fresh appeal to farmers across India to join the youth-led agitation demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan .
‘Students stood with farmers, now it’s our turn’
Addressing the gathering, Dipke invoked the solidarity that students had shown during the farmers’ protests. “When farmers were fighting for their rights, students stood shoulder to shoulder with them. Students need the same solidarity today. Please join us at Jantar Mantar,” he said .
He made it clear that the protest would continue until their demand was met. “We will not leave until Pradhan resigns. The protest will continue tonight. If we leave the protest site without Pradhan’s resignation, we will not be able to face the family members of those students who committed suicide due to the NEET paper leak,” Dipke stated .
Overnight sit-in defies police deadline
Despite the Delhi Police declaring that the permission for the gathering had ended at 5 PM on Saturday, Dipke and several supporters remained at the site through the night, turning the demonstration into an overnight sit-in . Police had warned that continuation beyond the permitted hours was a violation of the conditions of permission and could invite legal action .
The protesters raised slogans, sang songs, and held discussions late into the night . Some were also seen playing cricket and exercising on Sunday morning as the sit-in continued .
Allegations of police restricting basic amenities
Dipke alleged that the Delhi Police had switched off lights at the protest site and restricted access to water and food . He claimed that drinking water was stopped at the barricades and that the police were asking for Aadhaar card details and addresses of people donating water and bananas to the protesters .
“If any attack happens on me in this darkness, then the people who switched off the lights will be responsible,” Dipke said . He also drew a historical parallel, stating that “when Bhagat Singh was protesting, even the British gave them water” .
The protesters later said drinking water access was restored and lights were switched back on .
Support from climate activist Sonam Wangchuk
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest on Saturday and announced that he would go on a hunger strike on June 27 if Pradhan did not step down .
‘We are holding the fort’
Dipke appealed to the public to reach Jantar Mantar and asked NEET re-exam aspirants to join the agitation after completing their test . “We are holding the fort but without your support this movement won’t be successful,” he said .
Dipke has also demanded a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak and cancellation of the entrance examination . “If there are arrests, I will be the first to court arrest,” he told protesters .
The CJP’s second protest at Jantar Mantar over examination irregularities continues to draw hundreds of supporters, mostly youth, who gathered with “thalis and chammach” (plates and spoons) to demand Pradhan’s resignation .
