NEW DELHI: Activists affiliated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) are preparing to march towards Parliament even as the Delhi Police maintains a tight security cordon in the national capital.The proposed march was first announced by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has since been shifted from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital after completing a 20-day hunger strike.On Monday, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das indicated the organisation’s willingness to engage in talks with the government over its long-standing demands for examination reforms.While stating that the government’s outreach had come late, he said the group remains open to discussions to resolve the ongoing impasse over the education system.Das said there was still no clarity from the administration despite its recent attempt to initiate dialogue, adding that “the ball is in their court,” news agency ANI reported.He said, “The administration is trying to open talks with the government. They have come very late, but we have opened our hearts and said that we are willing to talk to them. There has been no clarity from their side as of now. The ball is in their court.”Das said, “Sonam ji, so far he is stable, and he is continuing his hunger strike. He has sent his very best wishes to the young protesters of this country who have finally awakened to this very difficult, very dead system that does not listen to them at all.””A peaceful march will happen very soon. Peaceful protesters have been gathered here for the past 30 days, and we have shown how to carry out a peaceful protest and put our points forward,” he added.Earlier in the day, Wangchuk said he would end his hunger strike if the government accepted accountability for recent failures in the education system, including paper leaks, or if Members of Parliament assured him that the issue of education accountability would be taken up during the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning Monday.In a post on X, Wangchuk outlined three conditions under which he would call off his hunger strike if his demands are met.Meanwhile, supporters have gathered at Jantar Mantar ahead of Monday’s proposed march to Parliament. Addressing the protesters, CJP president Abhijeet Dipke asserted that “no one can stop us from going to Parliament.”“The biggest march in India’s history is about to take place. For the past 10-12 years, attempts have been made to destroy democracy in this country. By sitting at Jantar Mantar for a month, you have revived democracy,” Abhijeet Dipke said.Dipke said the month-long sit-in had demonstrated the resilience of the protesters, adding that supporters were arriving from across the country and filling the roads leading to the protest site.Delhi Police has issued an advisory stating that no permission has been sought or granted for the proposed CJP march to Parliament and warned that strict action would be taken against anyone violating prohibitory orders in the New Delhi district.In a statement, Delhi Police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), corresponding to the erstwhile Section 144 of the CrPC, remain in force in the New Delhi district.According to the 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, ANI reported.Police said elaborate security arrangements have been put in place with the Monsoon Session of Parliament commencing on July 20 to ensure public safety, the security of protectees and the protection of vital government installations.Delhi Police further warned that anyone found violating the prohibitory orders would be liable for prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable provisions of law.(With agency inputs)
