The CJP continued its agitation overnight, with protesters gathering at Jantar Mantar and other parts of central Delhi. The organisation, however, called off its proposed demonstration outside the Delhi Police headquarters after police released all detainees last night.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said on Wednesday morning that his WhatsApp account had been blocked without any explanation.
Meanwhile, CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka said the ongoing protest was the “biggest movement in India’s post-independence history” and warned that millions more people could come to Delhi if the government did not agree to their demands.
Talking to news agency ANI, Ranka said, “If the government doesn’t agree, millions more will come to Delhi because this time we will not hold back and stay silent…The government really needs to get its act together; otherwise, the Youth of this country is going to take them down very badly,” Ranka said.
The Delhi Police said it has registered a total of 11 FIRs in the last two days over attacks on the RAF personnel during July 20’s protest.
Congress protests spread across the country
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and several other senior leaders also participated in the demonstration, which was organised in response to the police action against CJP protesters. Those detained were released a few hours later.
The detentions triggered protests by Congress workers and youth-wing members in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Haryana. Party leaders accused the Union government of attempting to suppress democratic dissent.
In a video message posted on X, Rahul Gandhi said the government was not interested in discussing the events surrounding the July 20 march towards Parliament, which had turned violent.
“The students’ demands are, firstly, the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and Home Minister Amit Shah. Secondly, action should be taken against those who have beaten and humiliated the students, and all the cases against the students should be withdrawn,” he said.
Gandhi also demanded that the issue be debated in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee described the police action against the protesters as “unacceptable” and extended her party’s support to the Opposition sit-in.
Dharmendra Pradhan charges against Rahul Gandhi
“Even after Government conveyed its readiness for a comprehensive discussion, the Congress chose political spectacle over democratic debate. Their objective was never solutions for students; it was disruption for political headlines,” he wrote on X.
The minister said the government remained “100 per cent committed” to discussing NEET and addressing the concerns of students on the floor of Parliament.
“The students of India deserve far better than being treated as props in a political campaign. They deserve certainty over chaos, solutions over slogans and responsibility over disruption,” he said.
Pradhan added that the government remained committed to providing answers, reforms and accountability.
What is the latest on Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike?
Opposition parties have supported Wangchuk and the CJP protesters while demanding that the government engage with those participating in the hunger strike.
Demonstrations spread outside India
Solidarity demonstrations supporting Wangchuk have also been held in New York, San Jose, London and Dublin.
Activists from the US-based advocacy group Hindus for Human Rights gathered near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Union Square in New York and in San Jose on Monday evening, reported PTI. They carried placards supporting Wangchuk and demanded Pradhan’s resignation.
Similar demonstrations were organised outside the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Embassy in Dublin, the group said.
“Our protests sent a clear message, whether in New York or London, San Jose or Dublin: India’s students deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity,” it said.
The organisation also urged the government to reach out to Wangchuk and other protesters participating in the hunger strike.
