CJP's Abhijeet Dipke Critiques Government's Approach Amid Ongoing Protests

Protests Continue Amid Government Dialogue

New Delhi: Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), expressed skepticism regarding the government's intentions in initiating discussions with his group while simultaneously enforcing a police crackdown on demonstrators.

Dipke criticized the government for wasting their time, stating that their delegation was invited only to have their mobile devices confiscated. He described Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das as being effectively under house arrest at the residence of JP Nadda, addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, where protests against the NEET paper leak have now reached their 32nd day.

He alleged that the government's strategy was to disrupt their team, ensuring that chaos ensued without any representatives present. 'They kept us waiting for five hours, wasting our time. You cannot call for dialogue on one hand while attacking students on the other,' he asserted.

The government has yet to respond to these claims.

In a significant development, Union Health Minister JP Nadda met with two CJP representatives on Monday, promising that the government would discuss their demands internally after thousands of protesters were blocked from marching to Parliament by police.

Following their meeting, Ranka and Das presented a memorandum outlining their demands, which included the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan due to alleged examination irregularities.

'The only assurance we received was that he would communicate with the leadership and relay the outcomes,' Ranka stated after the meeting.

On Tuesday, protests continued at Jantar Mantar under heavy police presence, a day after the crackdown.

Dipke mentioned that activist Sonam Wangchuk had initially agreed to end his indefinite hunger strike after persuasion from fellow protesters but chose to continue after witnessing the police's aggressive actions during the Sansad Chalo march.

Protesters maintained their presence at the site, displaying a photograph of Wangchuk alongside a copy of the Constitution, the Ramcharitmanas, a charkha, and a small Buddha statue.

Dipke expressed concern over Wangchuk's ongoing fast, which has lasted since June 28. He was forcibly taken to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18 but has continued his hunger strike.

'Wangchuk was about to end his fast yesterday. We had convinced him after much effort, but seeing the police brutality, he decided to continue, which is very serious,' Dipke remarked.

'His body can only withstand a fast for 20-21 days. After that, his life is at risk. Doctors have warned that his organs could be damaged within three to four days. It has been four days since he was taken away, and we did not want him to extend his fast,' he added.

CJP leader Saurav Das posted on X, claiming that a large number of supporters continued to gather at the protest site.

'A huge crowd has assembled in and around Jantar Mantar... Dharmendra Pradhan must resign! We are also on the ground providing legal and medical assistance to our protesters. We shall overcome!' he wrote.

Earlier in the day, volunteers cleaned the protest area after police dismantled tents following Monday's crackdown.

Protest leaders affirmed their commitment to continue the agitation despite police actions.

Thousands had gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday for the CJP's planned march to Parliament, facing heavy security measures, multiple barricades, and prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

Police resorted to force, including lathicharge and tear gas, as protesters attempted to advance towards Parliament, with both sides accusing each other of instigating violence.

The protests, which began on June 20, demand accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The Delhi High Court ordered Wangchuk's immediate transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday.

A bench led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued the order following a plea from Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenging a previous court decision that refused to intervene in his treatment at the central government hospital.