The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday made a big claim, saying the government has reached out to them for the first time amid the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar. Later in the day, as supporters gathered in thousands at Jantar Mantar for the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka said they were on their way to meet union minister and ex-BJP president JP Nadda.
“Ashutosh Ranka and I, on behalf of the Cockroach Janta Party, are on our way to meet JP Nadda. The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth has gathered in huge numbers,” Das said in a tweet.
There hasn't been any confirmation to this end from the government yet.
If true, this would be the first communication from the government's side amid widespread calls for intervention in the ongoing hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Follow live updates on CJP's Parliament march here.
The CJP's renewed claim came as massive drama unfolded at Jantar Mantar as protesters clashed with cops and were allegedly lathi-charged too.
Saurav Das earlier said that the outfit was “willing to talk” to the government. “They have come very late, but we have opened our hearts and said that we are willing to talk to them. There has been no clarity from their side as of now. The ball is in their court,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
{{/usCountry}}Saurav Das earlier said that the outfit was “willing to talk” to the government. “They have come very late, but we have opened our hearts and said that we are willing to talk to them. There has been no clarity from their side as of now. The ball is in their court,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
{{/usCountry}}Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike since last month, was taken to the Safdarjung Hospital by cops on Saturday, July 18. The CJP-led protest further intensified after this as founder Abhijeet Dipke also began an indefinite fast.
No clarity over permission for march
The CJP is set to take out a march to Parliament, titled ‘Chalo Sansad’, at 9am today. However, there is no clarity on whether the protesters have been granted permission for the march, even as around 8,000 of them have gathered around Jantar Mantar.
On Sunday, the Delhi Police imposed Section 163 of the BNSS. in parts of New Delhi and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma said that "no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession."
However, the DCP was also seen interacting with CJP spokesperson Saurav Das this morning at Jantar Mantar. HT has learnt that senior police officials have flagged the risk of a law and order situation due to the protest, to which they were assured that the march would be non-violent.
The police later said that no consensus was reached on permission for the march.
What was govt's first reaction to Wangchuk's strike?
The CJP spokesperson claim of the government reaching out comes days after the Centre told the Delhi High Court that it was willing to monitor Sonam Wangchuk's health.
“Whatever medical assistance is required based on doctor report can be given,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the government's counsel, had said, as per a LiveLaw report. This was the government's first reaction amid mass appeals for Wangchuk to end his fast over health concerns.
The high court had directed the government to ensure doctors check up on Sonam Wangchuk's health daily, and take call on medical intervention based on the medical report.
Citing this order, the Delhi Police had moved Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital from Jantar Mantar. The move had sparked big backlash as the CJP claimed that Wangchuk was “forcibly” taken away.