New Delhi: Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed march to Parliament on Monday to press for education reforms, political leaders, actors and common people thronged the protest site at Jantar Mantar here, even as authorities put in place elaborate security arrangements and said that no permission has been sought for any such procession.
“We are determined not to allow any unauthorised march towards the high-security zone,” police sources said, stressing that prohibitory orders have been imposed in New Delhi district and warning against any violation.
Police have converted several entry points into high-security zones with multi-layered barricades, enhanced surveillance, anti-sabotage checks and round-the-clock patrolling in New Delhi, Central Delhi and parts of North Delhi ahead of the CJP march, the sources said.
On Sunday, several opposition leaders supported the “Chalo Sansad” march, which coincides with the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, reforms in the examination system and justice for affected students.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk issued a message through his wife from Safdarjung Hospital, where he was forcibly taken by police on Saturday, describing Monday’s mobilisation as “India’s second freedom movement” and calling for “freedom from injustice” over alleged paper leaks and “freedom from fear” over what he termed his “illegal detention”.
He appealed to people to make the Parliament march a “big success”.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, addressing supporters through a video message, urged them to remain at Jantar Mantar through the night, saying their presence was essential to ensure the Parliament march proceeded peacefully.
“Our protest is going on. Please come here in large numbers. Stay here for the night. If you don’t come, they will try to end the protest,” he said.
Appealing for restraint, Dipke said, “Our protest and march will be peaceful. I request everyone to follow the rules and follow the guidelines.”
Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo, while addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, said the activist would end his hunger strike on Monday if political leaders visit him at Safdarjung Hospital and assure him that the issue of education accountability would be raised during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.
“Sonam has requested all of us to take tomorrow’s march peacefully and ensure that this protest is not misused,” Angmo said.
Actors Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj visited Jantar Mantar during the day, joining Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and AAP leader Manish Sisodia in expressing solidarity with the agitation.
Sisodia urged all political parties to join the protest.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das claimed that nearly 20,000 people were “at and around Jantar Mantar” even before the scheduled mobilisation. In a post on X, Das said, “20,000 people are at and around Jantar Mantar. And it’s not even July 20 yet. Dharmendra Pradhan — your day of reckoning is here.”
CJP members shared photographs and videos on social media showing the protest site packed with supporters, claiming people from different parts of the country had begun arriving for Monday’s mobilisation.
The CJP also expressed apprehension over possible police action ahead of Monday’s march. It appealed to protesters not to respond to any provocation and to ensure the march remained peaceful.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma shared a public advisory on X on Sunday, stating that the “Delhi Police categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession.”
The prohibitory order under Section 163 BNSS (formerly Section 144 CrPC) is currently in effect in the New Delhi district, according to the DCP’s post.
“Accordingly, protest marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more persons are strictly prohibited, except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar, with prior permission,” the post read.
The DCP warned that any person violating these prohibitory orders could face prosecution under Section 223 BNS and other applicable laws.
“Delhi Police appeals to all citizens to respect the law, refrain from participating in any unauthorised gathering or march, and cooperate in maintaining public peace, safety and security,” his post read.
The Delhi Traffic Police also issued an advisory warning of heavy vehicular movement and restrictions around the Parliament complex.
A senior police source said elaborate preventive arrangements have been made to ensure law and order during the Parliament session.
“Every vehicle entering the New Delhi district is being thoroughly checked. Additional pickets have been set up at strategic locations, and reserve forces have been kept on standby. CCTV surveillance has also been intensified across sensitive areas,” the source said.
“In and around Jantar Mantar, a three-tier security arrangement has been put in place to maintain law and order. Two layers of Delhi Police personnel and one layer of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area. The security grid will remain in place round the clock to ensure that the situation remains peaceful,” the source said.
At the nearby AISA protest site, Neha, Manish and Aameen continued their indefinite fast. Neha alleged that police had attempted three to four times on Sunday to remove them, but students and supporters formed a human chain to prevent it.
“Today is the 22nd day of our hunger strike. Since morning, police personnel have come three to four times to pick us up. The students and young people present at Jantar Mantar have formed a human chain to protect us,” she said, urging more people to join the protest.
Following Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site early Saturday, Dipke began his indefinite hunger strike. The CJP founder said he had now understood the physical toll of a prolonged fast and appealed to people to strengthen the movement by joining Monday’s Parliament march in large numbers.
