Protests Escalate in New Delhi After Police Action
Immediately following the removal of Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar on July 18, 2026, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that he has entered an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site.
Dipke alleged that during the police action, CJP volunteers were assaulted and several were temporarily detained by security forces who cleared parts of the protest tents. In a video broadcast, Dipke appeared with minor bruises and stated, "They may remove Sonam Wangchuk ji, but they cannot remove the determination of the students. I am starting my hunger strike today in his place."
Escalation of CJP Demands
The youth-led movement has significantly expanded its objectives in response to the police intervention:
- Original Demand: Resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET-UG 2026 paper leaks and irregularities.
- New Demand: Resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing authoritarian actions and police suppression of a peaceful democratic assembly.
'Sansad Chalo' March to Proceed on July 20
Both Dipke and CJP national coordinators confirmed that the planned "Sansad Chalo" (March to Parliament) scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2026, remains on course. Student unions, civil rights organisations, and volunteer groups across different cities—including regional hubs in Kolkata—have pledged to join or hold local demonstrations in solidarity.
"We are decentralized and cannot be dismantled by the detention of individuals," a Kolkata CJP spokesperson commented. "The march to Parliament on July 20 will happen."