CJP Protest highlights: Meeting with JP Nadda ‘waste of time,’ CJP's Ashutosh Ranka says; 70 detained

CJP Protest highlights: Abhijeet Dipke announced that he will continue the protest and sat near Kerala House in central Delhi, close to the protest site which was cleared by the police earlier in the day.

CJP Protest highlights: As many as 50,000 protestors took to streets in the national capital on Monday to demand the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, according to HT reporters on ground. The march towards Parliament, announced by the CJP days back, did not happen but the protesters took over the entire Central Delhi area.

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Cockroach Janta Party spokespersons on Monday said that they met union minister JP Nadda at his residence after the government reached out to them. During the meeting, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said that they put forth their three demands in front of the minister — immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk, Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, ₹1 crore compensation to all NEET aspirants to died by suicide.

However, hours later, Ranka said that there has been no response from the government.

Delhi police said that the protesters displayed “unruly, violent, and aggressive behaviour". They added that 70 protesters were detained and appropriate legal action is being initiated against them.

Abhijeet Dipke announced that they will continue the protest till Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, even though the police cleared the protest site after lathi charge and tear gas shelling.

Sonam Wangchuk announced that he will continue his hunger strike on day 23 after the police “brutality” on peaceful protesters.

Police personnel had been deployed at the site on Sunday, with a riot control vehicle entering the venue early on Monday. The CJP has continued its protest at the site for over a month, demanding the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and other issues.

Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 20 days now, has set conditions for ending his strike.

Security measures at Jantar Mantar, Section 163 imposed

Heavy security was deployed at the protest site, with barricades being installed at the back side (Kerala House) to block one of the approach roads to the protest site. Barricades have been put up on Tolstoy Marg – one of the main entry points to the site – leaving a small entrance left for people to enter as of now. Police personnel maintained vigil, with a riot control vehicle also seen entering the site.

The Delhi Police has, meanwhile, imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma issued a public advisory on X on Sunday, stating that the "Delhi Police categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession."

Sonam Wangchuk's terms to end fast

In a handwritten note from Safdarjung Hospital, activist Wangchuk had earlier outlined three conditions under which he would call off his fast. "Dear friends & supporters, many of you have asked when will I end fast. As mentioned earlier to supporters, I will end my fast on 20th July, if..." Wangchuk wrote. He said he would end the fast if “government takes accountability of the recent failures in education system – paper leaks, etc” or “if the leadership of CJP reach the doorsteps of Parliament where Hon'ble MPs and leaders of various parties assures us that the will now take up the issue in Parliament.” He said that if his health does not permit this, the MPs could visit the hospital and give the above assurances.