CJP Delegation Meets Union Health Minister to Discuss Protest Demands

CJP's Meeting with Health Minister

New Delhi, July 20: On Monday, representatives from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) approached Union Health Minister JP Nadda, where spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka presented a memorandum, asserting that the minister would address their concerns internally.

Post-meeting, Das reported that Nadda promised to discuss the issues with party leaders. He also indicated that there would be no further crackdowns at Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas, although there were no updates on police actions at that time, as he shared on social media.

Earlier, Das mentioned that he and Ranka had waited over two hours before securing a brief 10-minute meeting with Nadda.

"After waiting for more than two hours, @AshutoshRanka and I just met JP Nadda ji at his residence for 10 minutes. While we submitted a written letter with our demands, he has assured us that he will meanwhile speak internally. We are in that process. There is news of mass detention etc," Das wrote.

Ranka later noted that Nadda requested additional time to discuss their demands with party leadership.

The memorandum included demands for the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and a compensation of Rs 1 crore for families of NEET aspirants who reportedly died by suicide.

Additionally, they urged the Delhi Police to cease what they termed as "brute force" against peaceful demonstrators.

This meeting occurred amid heightened security measures aimed at preventing protesters from advancing towards Parliament.

Sources indicated that numerous protesters were detained from various locations including Mandi House, Patel Chowk, Janpath, Jantar Mantar, and Parliament Street in New Delhi.

At least seven individuals were apprehended near the Reserve Bank of India, adjacent to Parliament.

Those detained were reportedly taken to various locations throughout the capital to hinder regrouping efforts.

They are anticipated to be released after receiving warnings, while police will check their backgrounds to determine if any have prior criminal records.

Security was notably stringent across central Delhi, featuring multiple barricades, a significant presence of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, intensified vehicle inspections, and senior officials overseeing the situation to prevent breaches of security around Parliament.

Despite these restrictions, thousands of protesters gathered in central Delhi, with many attempting to reach Parliament through back streets after being blocked on major thoroughfares.

Reports indicated that clashes erupted as police deployed tear gas and batons to disperse crowds, resulting in injuries to both protesters and law enforcement personnel, including some demonstrators in school uniforms.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police refuted claims that CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had been detained or arrested during the protests near Parliament.

This followed Das's initial assertion that Dipke had been "picked up" by police during the 'Sansad Chalo' protest.

In response to these claims, the Delhi Police clarified, "Misleading reports are currently circulating on various social media platforms claiming that Abhijit Dipke has been detained by the Delhi Police. It is formally clarified that these allegations are entirely false and he is available on stage."

Following this clarification, Das retracted his statement, confirming that Dipke was neither detained nor arrested.

The protests also resonated within Parliament, where Opposition members raised the issue shortly after proceedings commenced.

The uproar surrounding the CJP-led protests, which began at Jantar Mantar, resulted in multiple adjournments in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the first day of the Monsoon Session.