15 July,2026 05:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk being attended by medical professionals as Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke looks on during a protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, on Wednesday. PIC/PTI
A youth protest in support of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) will be held at Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Thursday, the Mumbai unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced. The city unit of the party also extended its support for the demonstration, urging volunteers to participate in large numbers.
In a statement, AAP Mumbai said, "AAP Mumbai is supporting this youth protest in support of the CJP. Requesting all volunteers to show up in large numbers tomorrow, 16th July."
According to the announcement, the protest will be held from 9 am to 6 pm at Azad Maidan.
The announcement comes as the CJP has called for a one-day mass hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday in solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk and students. Wangchuk completed the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday.
"Tomorrow, July 16, join us for a one-day mass hunger strike in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk and the students of this country," the CJP said in a post on X, accompanied by a poster urging support for justice and prayers for the activist.
The CJP's protest at Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) examination entered its 26th day on Wednesday.
According to the medical bulletin issued by the CJP, Wangchuk remains "very weak" and is under round-the-clock medical supervision. His weight has fallen to 57.15 kg, a drop of 400 grams in the past 24 hours, taking his total weight loss since the beginning of the fast to 8.9 kg. His blood pressure was recorded at 105/76, blood sugar at 80 mg/dL, oxygen saturation at 97 per cent, while hydration was described as fair.
Doctors said he remained conscious and mentally alert but required continuous monitoring.
Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke accused the government of being "cruel" for refusing to engage in dialogue with the protesters.
"Day 18 of Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike. The man who chose to put his own life on the line to seek justice for students who died by suicide has received nothing but silence from the government. The government is not just unaccountable; it is also cruel," Dipke said on X.
Dipke also questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was refusing to engage in dialogue with the protesters and why Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had still not been held accountable.
The Azad Maidan protest is expected to be held in solidarity with the CJP's nationwide call for a one-day mass hunger strike in support of Wangchuk and the students' cause.
(With PTI inputs)
