New Delhi: The protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi's Jantar Mantar continued to gather momentum on Saturday despite the absence of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was removed from the site by Delhi Police in the early hours of the day.
Following Wangchuk's removal, police heavily barricaded both ends of Jantar Mantar, restricting vehicular movement. Protesters maintained that the agitation had become stronger, while organisers said the planned 'Sansad Chalo' march to Parliament on July 20 would proceed without any change, The New Indian Express reported.
The demonstrators have been demanding major reforms in the examination system, accountability for the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
As the protest entered its 28th day, CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke began an indefinite hunger strike in protest against Wangchuk's removal. Protesters also raised demands for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation.
The demonstration was briefly disrupted after an unidentified woman allegedly threw an ink-like liquid at Dipke. Police said the woman had been detained, while her identity and motive were yet to be established.
Organisers also claimed that the health of three student activists, who have been on an indefinite fast for 21 days, had deteriorated. They further alleged that the Delhi Police attempted to detain the fasting students from the protest site.
Addressing the gathering, Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav said the government's action against Wangchuk had failed to weaken the movement. CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das also stated that the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march would take place as planned and that there would be no change in the programme.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the Centre over Wangchuk's removal from the protest site. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha accused the Narendra Modi government of suppressing peaceful dissent.
Hundreds of students, family members, civil society representatives, political supporters, television personalities, and former DUSU president Ronak Khatri of the NSUI continued to participate in the protest and expressed solidarity with the movement.
Supporters were also seen making announcements inside Delhi Metro trains, urging commuters to join the July 20 march to Parliament. Dipke appealed to supporters to reach Delhi on the night of July 19 to avoid possible police restrictions on the day of the march.
Organisers further claimed that their helpline had received around three lakh missed calls from people registering their support and attendance for the July 20 protest.