The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical movement protesting education system issues, has gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, on day 21 of his hunger strike, was taken to hospital on Saturday after police and paramilitaries swooped in on the stage where he was lying down. The protesters have been demanding reforms in the education system, specifically the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Who is in charge? Abhijeet Dipke founded the CJP in May as an online movement to protest paper leaks and exam irregularities. He has gained a huge following and vowed to continue the march to parliament on Monday despite Wangchuk's hospitalization. The CJP's protests have centred around the cancellation of several important exams following allegations of paper leaks.

The protesters, who call themselves 'cockroaches,' have been sitting at Jantar Mantar for a month now. They demand Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and have also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Saturday's action. The police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to the protest site, causing a chaotic scene on Saturday.

Fasting activist On day 19 of his hunger strike, Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly taken to hospital after police and paramilitary forces swooped in on the stage where he was lying down. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, said that Wangchuk continues to be on fast at the hospital and has refused food and drinks. She has asked political leaders to meet Wangchuk at the hospital and assure him that the issue of education accountability will be the main issue during the parliament session.

The CJP has begun an indefinite fast since Saturday in Wangchuk's place. Thousands of people have said they will join the march in solidarity with the protesters. The protesters' demands include the cancellation of several important exams following allegations of paper leaks and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Government response Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has dismissed the CJP and its supporters as 'the B-team of disruptive elements.' The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not engaged with the protesters yet. The opposition parties have condemned the action against Wangchuk, describing it as 'shocking coercive state violence' and 'an assault on democracy.'

Key Facts

  • Founded by Abhijeet Dipke in May as an online satirical movement to protest paper leaks and exam irregularities.
  • The protesters have been demanding reforms in the education system, specifically the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
  • The protesters, who call themselves 'cockroaches,' have been sitting at Jantar Mantar for a month now.
  • The police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to the protest site, causing a chaotic scene on Saturday.