What’s Behind the Ongoing CJP Protest in Delhi? Activist's Hunger Strike Raises Eyebrows!
Protest Against Examination Irregularities Continues
New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar for the seventeenth consecutive day, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability from the government regarding alleged examination irregularities. Activist Sonam Wangchuk is now on the ninth day of his indefinite hunger strike, having lost approximately 6.9 kg since he began.
A health update from medical professionals indicated that Wangchuk's blood pressure was measured at 107/67 mm Hg, with a blood glucose level of 72 mg/dL, confirming his weight loss during the fast.
In a recent post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke raised concerns about the government's actions, alleging that police were instructed to document the women volunteers present at the protest site. He stated, "Why has the government asked the police to record women volunteers? Last night, some officials were caught taking photos of women volunteers. When confronted, they fled the spot."
On Monday, Dipke traveled to Maharashtra to join a student protest in his hometown of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, expressing solidarity with students demanding offline examinations in light of the alleged paper leak.
Meanwhile, members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), affiliated with CPI(ML) Liberation, continued their indefinite hunger strike at a separate location within the protest area.
Danish Ali, the joint secretary of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), was hospitalized on Saturday after her blood sugar levels dropped during the hunger strike. Other activists, including Neha, Manish, Hrishikesh, Deepak Kumar Verma, and Aameen, are also maintaining their indefinite fast at the protest site.
The CJP has been vocal in its demand for Pradhan's resignation, citing that ongoing examination irregularities and paper leaks have severely impacted students and their families.
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), which took place on May 3, was canceled due to allegations of a paper leak, leading to a re-test on June 21.
The CJP's protest, which commenced on June 20, has garnered support from various political figures, activists, and members of civil society, all rallying against the alleged flaws in the country's examination system.