Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), arrived in Delhi on Saturday and immediately renewed his demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, citing student suicides and alleged irregularities in major examinations, before joining hundreds of supporters at Jantar Mantar for the movement’s largest public mobilisation so far.
“Education Minister must resign. Five students have committed suicide,” Dipke told reporters after landing in the national capital.
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The CJP founder then headed to Jantar Mantar, where hundreds of students, young professionals and parents had gathered amid heightened security arrangements across Delhi. Many participants were seen wearing cockroach masks, carrying flowers and chanting slogans demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, including NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC.
School students attended the protest alongside their parents, while college students and young professionals formed a large section of the crowd.
FIRST MAJOR STREET MOBILISATION
The demonstration marked the first significant on-ground show of strength by the youth-led movement, which has built a sizeable following on social media in recent weeks.
Dipke, who recently returned from the United States to participate in the mobilisation, has described the campaign as a peaceful constitutional movement seeking accountability in the education system.
Before joining the protest, he appealed to supporters to maintain discipline and avoid any confrontation with authorities.
In a post on X, he wrote, “Landed. Looking forward to meeting you all at Jantar Mantar. Do not forget to carry a book and our Tiranga! Offer flowers to policemen as a gesture of compassion & gratitude. We have to lead this movement with love and peace!”
The CJP had circulated similar guidelines ahead of the demonstration, urging participants to remain non-violent and engage respectfully with law enforcement personnel.
WANGCHUK EXTENDS SUPPORT
Activist Sonam Wangchuk also voiced support for the protest and urged participants to maintain peace throughout the gathering.
He advised demonstrators to carry only essential items such as water bottles and mobile phones and encouraged them to bring flowers. Wangchuk also said anyone carrying weapons or suspicious objects should be reported to police immediately.
He further announced that he would undertake a six-week fast if Dipke is arrested.
MASSIVE SECURITY DEPLOYMENT
The protest prompted extensive security arrangements across the national capital.
Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at Jantar Mantar, Indira Gandhi International Airport, major railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and border entry points connecting Delhi with neighbouring states.
Earlier in the day, the CJP announced that it had received permission to hold the demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
According to sources, around 40 companies of paramilitary forces were deployed to assist Delhi Police in maintaining law and order. Senior officers from across districts were assigned field duties to supervise security arrangements.
Multiple layers of barricading were installed at sensitive locations, while vehicle checks were intensified on routes leading to central Delhi.
Security was also strengthened outside the residence of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a precautionary measure.
Officials said reserve forces had been kept on standby and social media activity linked to the gathering was being closely monitored. Police were also coordinating with private cab aggregators to assess movement patterns towards the protest venue.
More than 1,000 police personnel were deployed across New Delhi and other strategic locations as authorities prepared for any eventuality.
FROM SATIRE TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGN
The Cockroach Janta Party was originally launched as a satirical response to remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a court hearing last month.
The movement has since evolved into a broader campaign focused on examination and recruitment-related issues, attracting significant attention online and drawing support from students across the country.
Police maintained that adequate security arrangements were in place and that the situation remained under control, while metro services continued to operate normally.
– Ends
With inputs from PTI
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
