New Delhi, July 18: Members of the All India Students Federation (AISF), Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Association (AISA) on Saturday joined a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators continued to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue.The protest gathered students and political activists, who raised slogans and carried placards in support of their demands. The demonstration intensified after CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced an indefinite hunger strike following the removal of protesters by Delhi Police and the hospitalisation of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Dipke said he would begin his hunger strike immediately and appealed to supporters to continue the movement and participate in the proposed march to Parliament on July 20.Earlier in the day, Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police after completing 20 days of his hunger strike. The move came on the advice of medical experts and in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court, according to the police.
A large deployment of Delhi Police personnel remained at Jantar Mantar as protesters were asked to vacate the site. During the operation, student protesters formed a human chain around activists on hunger strike, including JNU PhD scholar Neha Bora, in an attempt to prevent their removal.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma said Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital due to his deteriorating health. He stated that while some protesters attempted to obstruct the process, police exercised restraint and completed the operation safely. He also appealed to those gathered at Jantar Mantar to vacate the protest site peacefully.
The police action drew criticism from Opposition leaders. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the government of suppressing peaceful protests, while Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghose and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also criticised the action.