Parliament march on July 20: CJP steps up protest as Sonam Wangchuk's health deteriorates

New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, has announced a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session. The youth-led organisation made the announcement as its protest entered its 20th day on Thursday amid heavy rainfall. CJP is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reforms to ensure a transparent and credible examination system. In a statement, the organisation said the march would begin from Jantar Mantar and would be joined by education reform supporters and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28. CJP appeals for nationwide participation CJP has appealed to students, parents and citizens across the country to participate in the march, describing it as a call for justice for students who allegedly died by suicide following examination controversies, including the cancellation of NEET-UG. The group is also pressing for greater accountability in the examination system. In a social media post on Wednesday night, Wangchuk urged people to join the march, saying Parliament was the appropriate forum to raise these issues. Responding to appeals asking him to end his fast, Wangchuk said that doing so would neither help the affected students nor address broader public concerns. He urged people to move beyond expressing support online and instead participate in the peaceful march to Parliament to press elected representatives for a lasting solution. Protesters allege restrictions amid heavy rain CJP has alleged that Delhi Police prevented protesters from bringing tarpaulins to the protest site despite continuous rainfall. Founder Abhijeet Dipke shared a video on social media showing an argument with police personnel over the issue. In the video, he questioned why protesters were not allowed to use tarpaulins while police personnel were sheltered in waterproof tents. Dipke claimed the tarpaulins were needed to protect students, including those who have been on hunger strike for several days, and alleged that repeated attempts to bring them into the protest site had been stopped. Political support and health concerns CJP thanked Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant and senior CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali for visiting the protest site and extending support. According to the organisation, Sawant assured protesters that he would raise the issue in Parliament during the Monsoon Session, while Ali expressed solidarity with students, parents and young people affected by repeated examination controversies. Meanwhile, doctors monitoring Wangchuk said he has lost more than seven kilograms since beginning his hunger strike. An AISA activist participating in the indefinite fast was also admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after his health deteriorated. Apart from demanding Pradhan's resignation, CJP has sought compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following examination-related controversies, including the cancellation of the original NEET-UG examination over paper leak allegations. The exam, initially held on May 3, was cancelled and conducted again on June 21.