CJP gears up for Parliament march, thousands gather at Jantar Mantar

Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed march to Parliament on Monday to press for education reforms, political leaders, actors and supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday, while the police said no permission had been sought or granted for any such procession. The planned 'Chalo Sansad' march coincides with the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

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. Even as opposition leaders backed the protest, the authorities put in place heavy security arrangements and warned against any unauthorised march towards Parliament.

Police sources said they were determined to stop any procession towards the high-security zone. "We are determined not to allow any unauthorised march towards the high-security zone," police sources said, adding that prohibitory orders were in force in New Delhi district and warning against any violation. Several entry points have been turned 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, the sources said.

On Sunday, activist Sonam Wangchuk sent out a message through his wife from Safdarjung Hospital, where he was forcibly taken by police on Saturday. He described Monday's mobilisation as "India's second freedom movement" and called for "freedom from injustice" over alleged paper leaks and "freedom from fear" over what he called his "illegal detention". He appealed to people to make the Parliament march a "big success". CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, in a video message, asked supporters to stay at Jantar Mantar through the night. "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. He also appealed for calm, saying, "Our protest and march will be peaceful. I request everyone to follow the rules and follow the guidelines."

Addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali Angmo said he would end his hunger strike on Monday if political leaders visited him at Safdarjung Hospital and assured him that the issue of education accountability would be raised during the Monsoon Session. "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 the protest site during the day. They joined Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and AAP leader Manish Sisodia in expressing support for 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, he 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 also shared photographs and videos on social media showing the site packed with supporters and claimed that people from different parts of the country had started arriving for Monday's mobilisation. The party expressed concern over possible police action ahead of the march and appealed to protesters not to respond to any provocation and to keep the march peaceful.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma said in a public advisory on X that "Delhi Police categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession." He said the prohibitory order under Section 163 BNSS, formerly Section 144 CrPC, was in force in New Delhi district. "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 said. He warned that anyone violating the orders could face prosecution under Section 223 BNS and other applicable laws, and added, "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." 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 had been made for 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 added.

At the nearby AISA protest site, Neha, Manish and Aameen continued their indefinite fast. Neha alleged that the police had tried three to four times on Sunday to remove them, but students and supporters formed a human chain to stop 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, while asking more people to join the protest. After Wangchuk was removed from the protest site early on Saturday, Dipke began his indefinite hunger strike and said he had now understood the physical toll of a prolonged fast. He appealed to people to strengthen the movement by joining Monday's Parliament march in large numbers.

As the CJP prepared for Monday's march to Parliament over NEET and wider education reforms, support at Jantar Mantar grew through the day even as the police maintained that no permission had been granted and tightened security across the capital.