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CJP Parliament march July 20 highlights: Barricades, CCTV removed at Jantar Mantar
Crowds continued to pour into the Cockroach Janta Party's protest site at Jantar Mantar through the day as preparations gathered pace for Monday's march to Parliament; Sonam Wangchuk remains in hospital
- 6:56 AM IST, July 20Updates to this live blog have ended.
- 6:49 AM IST, July 20CJP protest: Key updates
- 6:28 AM IST, July 20Riot vehicle at site, security deployed at Jantar Mantar
- 11:00 PM IST, July 19Wangchuk's wife says will lead in his absence, has 2-pronged advice for protesters
- 10:29 PM IST, July 19CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Heavy police deployment near Parliament Street ahead of gathering
- 10:27 PM IST, July 19AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh addresses gathering from stage at Jantar
- 10:17 PM IST, July 19Security stepped up ahead of CJP march; protesters gather for night vigil at Jantar Mantar
- 9:55 PM IST, July 19HC refuses to interfere with Wangchuk's treatment; Activist gives call to make CJP march 'big success'
- 9:29 PM IST, July 19Wangchuk will end fast if Parliament session focuses on education accountability, says Gitanjali Angmo
- 8:46 PM IST, July 19Delhi Police invoke section 163
- 8:39 PM IST, July 19Wife conveys Sonam Wangchuk's appeal for peaceful protest
- 7:58 PM IST, July 19No nod for CJP's Parliament march on Monday, says Delhi police
- 7:19 PM IST, July 19Actor Prakash Raj visits Jantar Mantar
- 5:42 PM IST, July 19'Not only Wangchuk's fight,' says Khesari Lal Yadav
- 5:20 PM IST, July 19Wife Gitanjali Angmo says Wangchuk's health 'not deteriorating'
- 5:01 PM IST, July 19'Deaf and dumb govt will be forced to listen', says CJP as supporters gather at Jantar Mantar
- 4:21 PM IST, July 19Delhi HC says Wangchuk free to decide on cooperating with doctors
- 3:50 PM IST, July 19Delhi HC gives three days for status report on Wangchuk
- 3:46 PM IST, July 19Wangchuk denying IV fluids, doctors tell Delhi HC
- 3:38 PM IST, July 19Delhi HC bench notes Wangchuk ‘not in detention’
- 3:32 PM IST, July 19Activist can be shifted to AIIMS, says Centre in Delhi HC
- 3:21 PM IST, July 19Centre refutes Angmo's claim, says 24x7 access has been granted
- 3:18 PM IST, July 19Centre says intervention was needed due to activist's deteriorating health
- 3:12 PM IST, July 19No access being given, claim Kapil Sibal in Delhi HC
- 3:05 PM IST, July 19Delhi HC begins hearing
- 2:41 PM IST, July 19What is the plea in Delhi HC about?
- 2:24 PM IST, July 19'Full faith in judiciary,' says Wangchuk's wife ahead of Delhi HC hearing
- 2:19 PM IST, July 19Delhi traffic police's advisory for July 20 ahead of Parliament session
- 1:58 PM IST, July 19Justice Mini Pushkarna likely to hear Wangchuk transfer plea
- 1:55 PM IST, July 19HC hearing on hospital transfer plea at 2:30 pm
- 1:44 PM IST, July 19CJP calls supporters to join 'Sansad Chalo' march at 9 am
- 1:29 PM IST, July 19Safdarjung releases Wangchuk's case summary, says activist refused IV fluids and medication
- 1:14 PM IST, July 19Naveen Patnaik urges Centre to hold talks with protesting students
- 12:56 PM IST, July 19Wangchuk conscious and stable, but remains weak due to fast, says hospital
- 12:41 PM IST, July 19Woman claims responsibility for ink attack on Dipke, cites ‘mockery’ of Lord Ram
- 12:18 PM IST, July 19A protester holding poster at the Jantar Mantar
- 12:10 PM IST, July 19Protesters seen resting at Jantar Mantar
- 11:48 AM IST, July 19What did Gitanjali Angmo say in her plea before the Delhi HC
- 11:27 AM IST, July 19CJP protest reaches Bangalore, hundreds gather in support of Wangchuk
- 11:10 AM IST, July 19Dipke holds up activist's photo
- 10:57 AM IST, July 19Akhil Gogoi condemns Wangchuk's hospitalisation, seeks his release
- 10:29 AM IST, July 19Visuals emerge from outside Safdarjung Hospital where Wangchuk is admitted
- 9:57 AM IST, July 19Hospital releases latest health bulletin
- 9:41 AM IST, July 19Wife seeks urgent HC hearing
- 9:26 AM IST, July 19Sonam Wangchuk calls July 20 march, ‘2nd freedom movement’
- 9:12 AM IST, July 19Massive security deployment at Jantar Mantar
- 8:52 AM IST, July 19CJP rejects Delhi Police's claim, says they ‘knew about our march plans’
- 8:37 AM IST, July 19Dipke takes swipe at police, ‘They will come quietly and try to disrupt us’
- 8:21 AM IST, July 19Dipke rallies supporters, says 'don't let the protest end before tomorrow'
- 8:18 AM IST, July 19‘I can feel how difficult it is,’ Dipke reflects on 2nd day of hunger strike
- 8:11 AM IST, July 19Dipke urges vigilance, says ‘miscreants may try to infiltrate protest’
- 8:10 AM IST, July 19‘Jantar Mantar will witness its biggest crowd ever,’ says Dipke
- 8:02 AM IST, July 19Activist's wife expresses suspicion over hospital test results
- 7:58 AM IST, July 19Opposition using activist as political face, says Chirag Paswan
- 7:50 AM IST, July 19Activist’s body still fighting dehydration, condition could worsen, say Doctor
- 7:27 AM IST, July 19Wangchuk admitted for medical evaluation
CJP ‘Sansad Chalo’ news highlights: Jantar Mantar transformed into a packed protest camp with a massive influx of supporters ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Chalo Sansad' march on Monday. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke called for a night-long vigil and activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife said he will end his hunger strike if political leaders assure to raise education accountability in Parliament....Read More
Delhi Police made it clear that the march would not be permitted, calling the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar "illegal" and warning of action if demonstrators attempt to proceed towards Parliament.
The Delhi high court earlier in the day called on Wangchuk to cooperate with the doctors at a government hospital in Safdarjung where he was forcibly taken as his health worsened on theb 21st day of his fast.
After an urgent hearing on the plea filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, the court refused to shift the climate activist to a private hospital. Delhi HC has also called for a status report on Wangchuk's health in the next three days. The hearing will now resume on July 24.
CJP has called for the march on Monday as part of its protest that calls for the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the recent exam irregularities in the NEET UG exam that had to be re-held due to a leak.
Police say no permission sought for march
Senior Delhi Police officers said the proposed march would not be allowed because it could disrupt law and order in one of the capital's most sensitive security zones.
Officials said any large gathering moving towards Parliament could create public safety concerns and severely affect traffic in central Delhi. They added that protesters could be detained if they attempted to breach security arrangements.
A senior police officer familiar with the matter told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity that organisers had neither informed the police nor sought permission for the march.
“CJP spokesperson Abhijeet Dipke has never informed us or applied for a permission for the Sansad Chalo march. It’s a completely illegal protest because they only had permission for one day. We even made them sign undertakings. Now, they have extended it without any permission. Also, for the march, we only approached them but they have not even applied for a permission,” the officer said.
Protest under scrutiny
According to police, the original permission granted to CJP was only for a one-day demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Officers claimed that the protest was later extended without official clearance, making the ongoing sit-in unauthorised.
The police stance comes as the agitation gains visibility, with activists and opposition leaders rallying behind Wangchuk and demanding that the union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign from his post.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital after the Delhi high court directed authorities to closely monitor his health. Doctors have said he is weak and mildly dehydrated after days of fasting but remains stable.
Updates to this live blog have ended.
Our live coverage of the CJP protest has moved here. Please follow for updates
CJP protest: Key updates
• Heavy security was deployed at the Jantar Mantar early on Monday, with a riot vehicle at the protest site and barricades put up at the main entry point.
• Abhijeet Dipke, in a video message shared on X, appealed to students to take part in the July 20 protest march. He urged them to maintain peace and discipline during the demonstration.
• Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk has set terms to end his indefinite fast, urging for the Centre to take accountability or for MPs' assurance that the issue of the paper leaks would be raised in Parliament.
• Delhi Police has issued a public advisory stating that no permission has been granted for the proposed CJP march to Parliament on July 20. The force said prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS are in place in New Delhi.
• CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told protesters that only three slogans — "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," "Dharmendra Pradhan istifa do," and "Inqalab Zindabad" — should be raised during the demonstration. Ranka urged the crowd not to chant anything else.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Riot vehicle at site, security deployed at Jantar Mantar
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Authorities deployed security personnel outside Jantar Mantar in Delhi ahead of a proposed march to Parliament by the CJP on Monday. Police personnel were seen maintaining a vigil around the protest site, while a riot control vehicle was also at the Jantar Mantar.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Abhijeet Dipke urges students to join July 20 march in video message
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, in a video message shared on X, appealed to students to take part in the July 20 protest march. He urged them to maintain peace and discipline during the demonstration.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Delhi Police says no permission granted for march, cites Section 163 BNSS restrictions
Delhi Police has issued a public advisory stating that no permission has been granted for the proposed CJP march to Parliament on July 20. The force said prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS are in place in New Delhi.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: CJP asks protesters to stick to three approved slogans during demonstration
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told protesters that only three slogans — "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," "Dharmendra Pradhan istifa do," and "Inqalab Zindabad" — should be raised during the demonstration. Ranka urged the crowd not to chant anything else.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Police install barricades at Tolstoy Marg near protest site
Police installed barricades on Tolstoy Marg, the main entry route to the protest site, leaving a small entrance open for people to enter. Protesters initially objected but were urged by volunteers to avoid confrontation and remain peaceful.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Volunteers urge people to stay vigilant, record disruptive activities and share online
Volunteers used handheld megaphones to ask participants to remain alert, document any disruptive activities, and share videos on social media while tagging the Cockroach Janta Party's official handles.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: No change in security checks at entry-exit point near Kerala House
At the entry-exit point towards Kerala House, there has been no change in the security arrangements, as searching and frisking through DFMDs and manually by personnel continue. There is also there is almost no change in the gathering of people at the protest venue.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: More big security changes at Jantar Mantar hours before Monday's rally
The Ekshana van, which is a surveillance vehicle fitted with face recognitions cameras has also been removed from the protest venue. Power supply to the door frame metal detectors (DFMDs) has also been discontinued.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Police claim barricade removed to ‘accommodate large crowd’
As speculations among protesters grows, many are asking police officials if they are preparing their removal from the protest venue. Officials are telling them that they are removing the iron barricades to create space for the large gathering of people.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Police shift barricades, remove CCTV at Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police have started shifting barricades and their vehicle mounted X-ray baggage scanner vehicle from Jantar Mantar. A CCTV camera installed on one of barricades was also removed. A heavy hammer to remove some iron barricades that were earlier fixed through welding was also brought.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: CJP founder thanks Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav and his son Aditya Thackeray for organizing a rally in Mumbai on Sunday in support of Sonam Wangchuk and CJP. "All of us who are protesting at Jantar Mantar for 29 days are grateful for your support," he wrote.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Abhijit Dipke tells protestors to gather at Jantar Mantar at 9am
CJP founder Abhijit Dipke issued a fresh call later Sunday night to protestors to start gathering at Jantar Mantar today at 9am. Meanwhile, Delhi Police maintains that permission for the march to Parliament will not be granted.
CJP's march to Parliament LIVE: Wangchuk's wife says will lead in his absence, has 2-pronged advice for protesters
Activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, on Sunday said she would lead the July 20 protest to Parliament in his place, adding that the activist remains committed to continuing his indefinite hunger strike even in hospital.
Her announcement came after the Delhi High Court refused to grant interim relief on Angmo's plea seeking Wangchuk's transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital.
“Had we been allowed to shift today, we could have gone to Medanta (hospital) and then arrived at the protest site by tomorrow morning. But we knew they wouldn't allow that. I am ready to represent Sonam Wangchuk, and I will definitely join the march tomorrow,” she told reporters.
“To all the students and parents coming to join the march tomorrow, I would say: keep two things in mind. First, let us conduct this march in a completely peaceful manner. Second, remain vigilant against nefarious elements who might try to disrupt it; let us stay alert and avoid falling into their traps. Attempts might be made to incite trouble or give the event a different complexion...,” she further said.
CJP's big claim ahead of march: 20,000 people ‘at and around Jantar Mantar’
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das claimed that nearly 20,000 people were "at and around Jantar Mantar" even before the scheduled mobilisation.
In a post on X, Das further said, "… and it's not even July 20 yet. Dharmendra Pradhan — your day of reckoning is here."
The protest also drew support from several political leaders and public figures. Actors Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj visited Jantar Mantar during the day, joining Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and AAP leader Manish Sisodia in expressing solidarity with the agitation on Sunday.
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Heavy police deployment near Parliament Street ahead of gathering
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Police personnel carrying lathis have been deployed near the SBI building on Parliament Street, while several police and private buses are stationed on both sides of the road.
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh addresses gathering from stage at Jantar
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh is addressing a gathering from the stage at Jantar Mantar.
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Security stepped up ahead of CJP march; protesters gather for night vigil at Jantar Mantar
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed march to Parliament on Monday to press for education reforms, political leaders, actors and common people thronged the protest site at Jantar Mantar here, even as authorities put in place elaborate security arrangements and said that no permission has been sought for any such procession.
"We are determined not to allow any unauthorised march towards the high-security zone," police sources said, stressing that prohibitory orders have been imposed in New Delhi district and warning against any violation.
Police have converted several entry points into high-security zones with multi-layered barricades, enhanced surveillance, anti-sabotage checks and round-the-clock patrolling in New Delhi, Central Delhi and parts of North Delhi ahead of the CJP march, the sources said.
On Sunday, several opposition leaders supported the "Chalo Sansad" march, which coincides with the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
(PTI)
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: HC refuses to interfere with Wangchuk's treatment; Activist gives call to make CJP march 'big success'
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: A day after activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site, the Delhi High Court on Sunday said the government decision was not arbitrary and refused to interfere with his treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital, where he "continued" his hunger strike for the 22nd day.
As the government had decided to shift Wangchuk to a hospital "on account of his medical condition, this court does not find the same to be an arbitrary action", Justice Mini Pushkarna said after Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, moved the court for an urgent hearing seeking permission to shift him to a private facility.
"Since the doctors at Safdarjung hospital are closely monitoring the health of Mr Sonam Wangchuk and have only administered oral fluids, potassium chloride and oral ORS without sugar with consent of Mr Sonam Wangchuk, it cannot be said that any force is being used or his body autonomy is being violated in any manner," said the court, adding no interim orders are required at the present stage.
The hospital said Wangchuk had been given required medical care and that the treating teams of doctors from VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS, New Delhi, opine that "sustained medical intervention and round-the-clock clinical monitoring remain essential to promptly detect and manage any potential complications".
(PTI)
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Wangchuk will end fast if Parliament session focuses on education accountability, says Gitanjali Angmo
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Activist Sonam Wangchuk will call off his indefinite hunger strike if political leaders meet him at the Safdarjung Hospital and assure him that the issue of education accountability will be raised during the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning Monday, his wife Gitanjali Angmo said on Sunday.
Addressing protesters at the Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been spearheading a movement against the alleged NEET paper leak, seeking education reforms, Angmo said Wangchuk has conveyed that he would end his fast provided there is a commitment from political parties to take up the issue in Parliament.
"If political leaders meet Sonam at the hospital and assure him that they will raise the issue of education accountability during the Monsoon Session, he will end his hunger strike tomorrow," Angmo said.
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Delhi Police invoke section 163
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Wife conveys Sonam Wangchuk's appeal for peaceful protest
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: Gitanjali Angmo conveyed his husband Sonam Wangchuk's message to the agitators at Jantar Mantar.
"Sonam has requested to take our march tomorrow peacefully and don't let this protest be misused," she said.
CJP July 20 Parliament march LIVE: No nod for CJP's Parliament march on Monday, says Delhi police
Sonam Wangchuk news LIVE: Delhi Police has categorically clarified that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession.
Prohibitory order under Section 163 BNSS (erstwhile section 144 CrPC) is in force in the New Delhi District. Accordingly, protest marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more persons are strictly prohibited*, except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar, with prior permission.
Sonam Wangchuk news LIVE: Actor Prakash Raj visits Jantar Mantar
Sonam Wangchuk news LIVE: Actor Prakash Raj visited Jantar Mantar again on Sunday to express solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk and lend his support to the ongoing protest.
