The Delhi Police has given the green light for a protest scheduled on Saturday at Jantar Mantar by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), an online youth movement that has been campaigning against alleged irregularities in competitive and school examinations.
Police Meeting and Revised Plans
Upon the arrival of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke at the airport, police officials met with him. Subsequently, the CJP instructed protesters to proceed directly to Jantar Mantar instead of gathering at the Parliament Street Police Station as initially planned. Dipke, who arrived in Delhi ahead of the demonstration, called on supporters to maintain discipline and ensure the protest remains peaceful.
Appeal for Peaceful Conduct
In a post on X, Dipke 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!"
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has expressed support for the protest, stated that he would undertake a six-week fast if Dipke is arrested. He also urged participants to remain non-violent and cooperate with authorities, advising them to carry only essential items such as water bottles and mobile phones, and to bring flowers as a symbolic gesture.
Demands and Context
The CJP has been demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in examinations including NEET, CBSE, CUET, and SSC. The group has also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Dipke, who recently returned from the United States, described the campaign as a peaceful constitutional movement.
Security Arrangements
Security has been tightened across the national capital ahead of the protest. Officials stated that additional personnel have been deployed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, border points, and other sensitive locations. According to Delhi Police officials, more than 1,000 personnel have been deployed across New Delhi and strategic locations as a precaution. While police said no formal permission request had been received for the demonstration, they added that arrangements were being made based on social media monitoring and other inputs.
The CJP has circulated its own guidelines calling for non-violent conduct and respectful engagement with law enforcement during the protest. The demonstration at Jantar Mantar is expected to be the group's first major on-ground mobilisation after gaining traction online in recent weeks.
