Cockroach Janta Party Continues Protest After Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike

NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday expressed relief after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, while making it clear that its peaceful agitation at Delhi's Jantar Mantar would continue until Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. In a post on X, Dipke thanked Wangchuk for what he described as an "extraordinary courage and sacrifice" during the fast."We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you, sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country," Dipke wrote. However, he further said the end of Wangchuk's fast would not mark the end of the movement."The Cockroach Janta Party's peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns," Dipke said. Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the government's handling of the issue. Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his indefinite hunger strike shortly after midnight at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. He said the decision followed prolonged negotiations with the government and was taken "in view of possible violence in the country." "Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda & Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break the fast. This was done after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country. Meanwhile I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," Wangchuk posted on X. The CJP protest intensified on July 20 when the 'Sansad Chalo' march towards Parliament ended in clashes between protesters and Delhi Police after demonstrators allegedly attempted to breach barricades. The agitation has since continued at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The latest security measures, including the temporary suspension of mobile internet services and the early closure of commercial establishments in Connaught Place, come as authorities remain on alert amid concerns over further escalation around the protest site and adjoining parts of Central Delhi.