CJP Protests Enter 24th Day At Jantar Mantar After Violent Clashes In Delhi
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued its sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Tuesday, marking the 24th day of demonstrations demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The ongoing protest persisted amid a heavy security deployment and tight police presence, following violent clashes during a "Sansad Chalo" march on Monday.
Despite repeated attempts by the police to disperse the demonstrators and heavy rain on Monday evening, protesters returned to Jantar Mantar to continue their sit-in late into the night. CJP representatives renewed their demands, accusing the central government of arrogance and failing to establish accountability.
The situation escalated on Monday when over 15,000 protesters attempted to march towards the Parliament. Security forces deployed lathi charges, tear gas, and water cannons at multiple locations across Delhi to halt the march. While protesters alleged that police used excessive force, resulting in serious injuries to several participants, the Delhi Police stated that more than 118 police personnel were injured after demonstrators breached barricades. Approximately 70 protesters were detained, and more than 100 injured demonstrators were transported to local hospitals.
Following the clashes, protesters regrouped at Jantar Mantar on Monday night, vowing to sustain the agitation despite a lack of electricity and other disrupted facilities.
Negotiations between the protesters and the government have stalled. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das met with Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Monday to discuss their demands. According to Ranka, Nadda offered to consult senior leadership but did not follow up. Ranka stated that five hours were wasted during the talks and insisted that government officials must now come directly to Jantar Mantar if they wish to resume discussions.
Additionally, activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Tuesday that he would continue his hunger strike. In a letter, Wangchuk stated he would not end his fast until youth leaders are permitted to meet with parliamentarians at the Sansad Bhawan, or until he is allowed to meet them from the hospital.
