Photo source, Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
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Abhijit Deepak, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has issued an apology to his supporters.
Deepak apologized for not making better efforts to protect protesters from police actions in Delhi.
On Monday, the CJP attempted to march towards the Indian Parliament building in Delhi, where thousands of supporters had gathered at Jantar Mantar. Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas in several areas.
“I apologize to all my supporters, especially the young women who were brutally beaten by male police officers. We could have done better. I could have done more to protect you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi police,” he wrote on social media platform X.
“The government was ready to shed more young blood to protect Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is responsible for the deaths of 21 students. If you were injured and are reading this, please send me a direct message; I want to speak with you personally and apologize.”
Why the CJP Is Protesting
Photo source, Kabir Jhangiani/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Thousands—including students, parents, activists, and leaders—gathered at Jantar Mantar calling for reform of India’s education system.
Tensions escalated after CJP supporter and educationist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on hunger strike for 21 days, was forcibly hospitalized on Saturday. Wangchuk continues his strike in the hospital.
Though called a party, the CJP is not a registered political organization. It began as an online satirical movement last May in protest against exam malpractices, including question paper leaks.
The movement quickly gained widespread support, demanding that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan take responsibility for irregularities in the education sector and resign.
However, Pradhan criticized the CJP and its supporters as the “B-team of hooligan elements.”
‘The Struggle Continues’
Photo source, Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Deepak stated that the party will continue its ongoing struggle.
Many protesters were injured in Monday’s demonstrations.
Abhijit Deepak has met with several of the injured protesters.
Numerous videos and photos circulating online show police forcefully using lathi charges and tear gas against protesters.
Nonetheless, each side has presented differing claims about the police actions.
The CJP claims that Delhi police vandalized and dismantled their protest stage at Jantar Mantar.
In a post on X, the CJP wrote, “The police seized the protest stage, broke all the materials, and removed it. Only the pictures of Babasaheb Ambedkar, a copy of the Indian Constitution, the Shri Ramcharitmanas, the Bible, and a small statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar remain—items that had been fiercely defended. Today, there has been a brutal assault in India.”
The CJP also shared a photo showing the debris scattered across their protest stage.
Photo source, X/Cockroachisback
Sonam Wangchuk Continues Hunger Strike
Photo source, Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Sonam Wangchuk, hospitalized since July 17, has stated he will continue his hunger strike.
According to India’s Ministry of Health, Wangchuk’s blood sugar levels have declined, but other vital signs remain stable. He is under close supervision by specialist doctors.
He cited the “cruel treatment” by police toward “peaceful protesters” as forcing him to take this step.
On Monday, he posted a handwritten message photo on X.
Wangchuk expressed he will continue the hunger strike until youth leaders are allowed to meet him in the hospital or he is permitted to meet them at the Parliament building.
He thanked supporters gathered for the march to Parliament and expressed hope for continued support in the future.
Earlier, Dr. Geetanjali Angmo, Wangchuk’s wife, came to the hospital and announced she would call off his hunger strike only if opposition leaders and MPs assured her they would raise the issue in Parliament.
After Monday’s march began, three students ended their hunger strikes, and a few hours later, Abhijit Deepak also ended his hunger strike.
Human Rights Organization Expresses Concern
Photo source, CJP
Human Rights Watch has expressed concern over the police’s lathi charge and use of tear gas against protesters during the CJP demonstration.
HRW has urged Indian authorities to investigate the police actions and to protect protesters’ rights.
Meenakshi Ganguly, HRW’s Deputy Asia Director, stated, “There must be an investigation into allegations that security forces used batons and tear gas to clear thousands of students protesting in Delhi.”
She emphasized the need for authorities to exercise restraint and ensure people’s right to peaceful protest.
