Cockroach Janta Party Protest: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder, Abhijeet Dipke, who led a mass protest at the Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, left the agitation site to visit his parents' home, marking the end of today's demonstration. The protesters, who termed themselves as cockroaches, were demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests.
Deadline For Pradhan's Resignation
The Indian Express reported that the CJP set another deadline for the resignation of Pradhan, saying that if he does not resign in a week, a fresh nationwide protest will be launched.
"Going home to see my parents, it’s been more than a year since I last met them. They've suffered a lot over the last 15 days and had to leave home because of threats. Will be taking them back to home. FYI, today’s protest was just a trailer. Thank you for showing up in such huge numbers! ❤️," his post read.
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Hundreds of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding Education Minister's resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, with founder Abhijeet Dipke delivering the message not to be "scared".
Sonam Wangchuk Joins Protest
Education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest and supported CJP's demand for the resignation of Pradhan. Wangchuk cited broader concerns over the state of education and the implementation of reforms in the country as reasons behind his decision.
Protesters, armed with posters demanding Pradhan's resignation, were seen wearing cockroach masks, which were being distributed at the venue. Besides demanding the education minister's resignation, the protesters also raised slogans demanding that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stop indulging in "Hindu-Muslim" politics, and hailed the motherland with "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans.
ALSO READ: 6 CJP Members Detained During Agitation; Dipke Tells Centre ‘You Cannot Erase Us From This Space’
Cops Deployed At Dipke's Residence In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar City
Meanwhile, police stepped up security at the residence of Dipke in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city in Maharashtra. The security cover has been expanded to avoid unnecessary crowding as Dipke arrived in India. "If there is a need to deploy more manpower, we will do so after a review," said DCP (Zone 1) Pankaj Atulkar.
He said Dipke's parents are not currently staying at their house in the Waluj area.
Six Persons Detained
The Delhi Police detained six people to prevent a possible confrontation between two groups during the CJP's protest at Jantar Mantar, officials said. The detentions were made as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order after police received inputs about the possibility of tensions between supporters and opposers of the online movement.
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The protest was organised by the CJP, a youth-led online movement demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, including the NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC examinations. Security was heightened across Delhi in anticipation of the protest.
(With PTI Inputs)