Centre reaches out to CJP for talks as protest gathers pace 

The Central government has approached the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for talks, the group has claimed, marking the first such outreach since its protest began. The development comes on a tense Monday morning, with CJP’s much-publicised ‘Chalo Sansad’ march heading towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. 

According to a CJP spokesperson, the government’s outreach follows weeks of mounting pressure over the health of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since 28th June. Wangchuk was moved from the protest site at Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital on 18th July, after the Delhi High Court directed authorities to monitor his condition. CJP has insisted he was shifted against his wishes, while officials maintain the move was based purely on medical advice and the court’s directions. 

On Monday, with his hunger strike stretching into its 23rd day, Wangchuk wrote to the hospital’s Medical Superintendent asking to be allowed out, even temporarily, so he could join the march. He said his health parameters were normal and that he was keen to walk with the protesters to Parliament. 

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who began his own indefinite fast after Wangchuk’s hospitalisation, is leading Monday’s march. The party’s core demand remains the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The government has not officially confirmed that any talks have taken place, and no agreement on permission for the march had been reached at the time of writing. 

Delhi Police has kept a heavy presence around Jantar Mantar, Parliament and other key points through the Monsoon Session, with police sources indicating that protests would not be permitted in the New Delhi district while the session is on. Several protesters were reported detained near Parliament Street on Monday morning. 

The reported outreach also comes days after the Centre told the Delhi High Court it was prepared to arrange medical assistance for Wangchuk, based on doctors’ recommendations. CJP, which began as a satirical response to remarks made by the Chief Justice of India in May, has grown rapidly since, drawing a large following of young people around its campaign against unemployment and examination malpractice. 

Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, who arrived at Jantar Mantar ahead of the march, urged participants to keep the protest peaceful and focused on the core issue of education, steering clear of any distraction from the party’s stated cause. 

Whether Monday’s outreach translates into a formal dialogue remains to be seen. For now, the government’s silence on the matter and the party’s public claim leave the story hanging between confirmation and speculation, even as thousands are expected to gather for the march, and Parliament settles in for what promises to be a charged Monsoon Session.