20 July,2026 02:50 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Dipke says protesters will stay until JP Nadda meeting concludes. Pic/ X
As the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) intensified its protest against the Centre on Monday, party founder Abhijeet Dipke ended his indefinite hunger strike at the request of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital, reported ANI.
Dipke had launched the fast after Wangchuk was hospitalised on July 18, when the activist's own 21-day hunger strike required medical intervention.
Meanwhile, CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka left to meet Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday as party activists and supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar to press their demands for examination reforms.
Sharing the update on X, Das said the government had reached out for talks earlier in the day.
"It's 11:52 AM. Ashutosh Ranka and I, on behalf of the Cockroach Janata Party, are on our way to meet J.P. Nadda. The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth have gathered in huge numbers. We shall win!" Das posted.
Dipke said the party's supporters would continue to remain at the protest site until CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka concludes his meeting with Union Health Minister JP Nadda.
"Until Ashutosh's meeting with JP Nadda is over, we will remain here," Dipke told supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar.
Earlier in the day, Das indicated that the party was willing to engage in discussions with the government over its long-standing demand for examination reforms.
While stating that the government's outreach had come late, he said the CJP remained open to talks aimed at resolving concerns surrounding the education system.
Das added that there was still no clarity from the government's side despite its recent outreach, saying that "the ball is in their court."
Meanwhile, Wangchuk urged authorities at Safdarjung Hospital to discharge him, saying his health had stabilised and he wished to participate in the 'Sansad Chalo' march to Parliament led by Dipke and other activists.
Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18 after his fast entered its 21st day.
In a note shared on X, Wangchuk wrote:
"This is to state that I am feeling very fine today and my health parameters are also showing as quite normal. Hence, I request you to kindly allow me to leave the hospital, even if temporarily, so that I can join the March to the Parliament - Sansad Chalo this morning. I shall be most grateful."
Earlier in the day, police used mild force to disperse hundreds of protesters attempting to march towards Parliament from Jantar Mantar.
The demonstration caused significant traffic disruptions across central Delhi as security personnel were deployed in large numbers to contain the gathering.
According to a Delhi Police advisory, protest marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more persons are prohibited, except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar with prior permission.
Security has been heightened around Parliament as the Monsoon Session commenced on Monday.
(With ANI inputs)
