Over 8,000 CJP Protesters Gather At Jantar Mantar For March To Parliament
On Monday, over 8,000 protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for a planned "Sansad Chalo" march to Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET irregularities. The demonstration, marking the 23rd day of protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), prompted Delhi Police to seal off routes leading to Parliament and impose prohibitory orders.
Addressing the crowd at the protest site, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka stated that the organisers would communicate details about the march shortly. He remarked that the government is under a lot of pressure, describing it as a victory for the movement.
In response to the planned march, Delhi Police turned central Delhi into a high-security zone. Barricades were erected across roads leading to Parliament, and Jantar Mantar was sealed from all sides overnight to restrict movement. Heavy security forces, including riot-control vehicles, armoured units, anti-riot personnel, and companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), were deployed across Parliament, Rail Bhawan, India Gate, and other VIP areas.
Police officials repeatedly announced that no march towards Parliament would be allowed under the prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The police maintained that the protesters had neither sought nor received permission for the march, warning that any attempt to proceed would be treated as an unlawful assembly. Security personnel were also stationed at intersections and Delhi's borders to monitor participants arriving from neighbouring states.
Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently on a hunger strike, stated on Monday that he would only end his protest after the CJP's march if the Centre accepts responsibility for issues like paper leaks, or if he and CJP leaders are permitted to reach Parliament and receive assurances from MPs.
Wangchuk, who was hospitalised at Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated, alleged that he was being kept under "illegal detention" at the facility. He claimed that his movement, speech, and communication had been restricted. He noted that if his health prevented him from joining the march, political leaders should visit him at the hospital to offer their assurances.
