NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party’s protest at Jantar Mantar entered its 18th day on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability over alleged examination irregularities.Activist Sonam Wangchuk completed the 10th day of his indefinite hunger strike at the protest site, news agency PTI reported.In a post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said Wangchuk had lost more than six kilograms since beginning his fast and that his blood pressure remained “quite low”.“When will the government wake up?” Dipke asked.Meanwhile, a delegation of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) visited Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with the agitation.The farmers’ body reiterated its support for the protesters’ demands, including Pradhan’s resignation, scrapping of the National Testing Agency (NTA), compensation to families of students who allegedly died by suicide, and action against those responsible for the alleged irregularities, PTI reported.Separately, the Delhi high court ordered the restoration of the CJP’s original X handle, which had been withheld in May.Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the order after the Centre informed the court that the blocking order had been revoked since the June 21 NEET re-test, which prompted the action, had concluded.The CJP’s original X handle was withheld in India on May 21. The group later resumed activities through a new handle while pursuing legal remedies.Reacting to the order, Dipke called it a “big win” for the CJP, the movement, free speech and digital rights.“We will continue to raise the youth’s voice both online and offline,” he said in a post on X.Meanwhile, members of the CPI(ML) Liberation-affiliated All India Students’ Association (AISA) continued their indefinite hunger strike on a separate stage at the protest site.The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions, held on May 3, was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak, and a re-test was conducted on June 21.The protest began on June 20 and has drawn support from political leaders, activists and civil society members.(With agency inputs)
