Historic College Square Becomes Center of Dissent in West Bengal
On the afternoon of July 19, 2026, the Kolkata CJP Solidarity Hub organized a major peaceful rally and public meeting at the historic College Square, raising a unified regional voice against the police actions at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The event saw substantial participation from student unions of Jadavpur University, Presidency University, and Calcutta University, alongside local civil rights activists and climate collectives.
Condemning Police Interventions in Delhi
The assembly expressed strong condemnation of the Delhi Police's forced removal of Sonam Wangchuk from his fast site on July 18. Speakers at College Square characterized the action as a direct infringement on the democratic right to peaceful, non-violent protest.
"If the government believes it can dismantle a decentralized movement by removing individuals, it severely underestimates the resolve of India’s youth," a representative of the Kolkata Solidarity Hub stated to the press. "The hunger strike started by Abhijeet Dipke and the subsequent ink attack on him have only hardened our resolve. We stand in absolute solidarity with their demands."
Demanding Exam Reforms and Systemic Accountability
Protesters in Kolkata highlighted the profound impact of the NEET-UG exam leak on the local student population. Kolkata’s academic heritage is closely linked to medical and scientific aspirations, and the recent controversies have caused severe anxiety among lakhs of regional candidates.
The Kolkata Solidarity Hub reaffirmed its identity as an independent, citizen-led mirror channel operating with zero corporate or external funding. In a show of digital-on-ground synergy, volunteers set up a live screening of updates from Delhi, showing current situations at Jantar Mantar and the health status of Sonam Wangchuk at Safdarjung Hospital.
Pre-March Coordination
The Kolkata unit concluded the assembly with a candle-lit vigil and confirmed that the local solidarity hub will maintain hourly updates of the scheduled "Sansad Chalo" march on July 20. A team of volunteer coordinators has already departed from Howrah Station to Delhi to assist with the national coordination.