Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Tension escalated in the national capital on Monday as protesters demanding reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attempted to march towards Parliament from Jantar Mantar.
Heavy barricading was put in place around Jantar Mantar ahead of the proposed Parliament march. As demonstrators reached the Parliament Street Police Station area, police used lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Security inside and around the Parliament complex was also intensified, with personnel placed on high alert.
CJP spokesperson Saurabh Das claimed that Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda had agreed to hold talks with representatives of the protestors, raising hopes for dialogue amid the ongoing agitation.
Social activist Yogendra Yadav criticized the police action in a post on X, urging the government to stop using tear gas against young protesters outside Parliament. He appealed to the Centre to choose dialogue over repression and to address the concerns of students by replacing the education minister.
Meanwhile, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke ended his indefinite hunger strike following an appeal from activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently admitted to Safdarjung Hospital after requiring medical care following a 21-day fast.
Dipke had begun his fast on July 18 after Wangchuk was hospitalized due to health complications arising from his prolonged hunger strike. On Monday, CJP representatives Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka left to meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda as party workers and supporters continued their protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding comprehensive examination and education reforms.
